<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> A new player in the transport equipment market is making a dent in Australia, with Transport for NSW ordering six more light rail vehicles from Spanish manufacturer, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). </span> <p>The new, $19m order adds to the initial order made with CAF for the purchase of six light rail vehicles and the lease of four vehicles.<br />State minister for transport, Gladys Berejiklian, said the new order means that over the next few years, the NSW government will be able to retire the existing light rail fleet on the Inner West Light Rail line.<br /><br />The current trains have been in service since the line began, in 1997.<br /><br />“I’m very pleased we have now ordered a total of 12 new light rail vehicles, with six vehicles already in production, which is great news for light rail customers,” Berejiklian said.<br /><br />“When CAF was initially engaged in August last year to supply six new and four leased light rail vehicles their contract included a provision to supply more new vehicles in the future, if required.<br /><br />“These new vehicles will provide a smooth, quiet, comfortable and air-conditioned customer journey on this important mode of public transport in Sydney.”<br /><br />Berejiklian said the new vehicles will be used on the current Inner West Light Rail line, and the 5.6km extension of the line from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill, which will begin operating in early 2014.<br /><br />“We are committed to investing in this accessible, efficient mode of transport. The new light rail vehicles ordered from CAF today will improve the service we are providing to customers to enhance their experience on our expanding network.<br /><br />The first of the six new vehicles purchased most recently will arrive in Sydney in early 2015.<br /><br />When contacted by <em>Rail Express</em>, CAF declined to comment.<br /><br />But the manufacturer’s website explains that the initial deal for the six new trains and the four leased ones was its first in Australia.<br /><br />“These new trams are the most modern generation of the Urbos platform, 100% low floor, and comprising 5 modules. In addition, they provide the best tram vehicle passenger accessibility conditions available today,” it says.<br /><br />The trains are 33m long, have a total capacity of 338 people, and a maximum speed of 80km/h.<br /><br />They include cap and passenger saloon air conditioning, radio, CCTV cameras and other safety systems.<br /><br />For an exclusive interview with CAF director Iaki Mendizabal see the AusRAIL PLUS (November) print edition of Rail Express – the official publication of the AusRAIL conference: <a href="http://www.ausrail.com"><strong>www.ausrail.com</strong></a></p>
