The West Australian Government aims to sign a deal for its next generation of passenger trainsets by the end of 2019, after taking delivery of the final B-series railcar from EDI Rail-Bombardier’s site in Queensland.
The last B-series trainset will enter service this week. It is the 78th three-car B-series set to enter service (234 cars in total), since the first set hit the Joondalup line in September 2004.
The B-series sets were built in Maryborough by a joint venture of Downer and Bombardier, and were designed to provide a 30 per cent capacity boost compared to Transperth’s initial electric two-car A-series model.
State transport minister Rita Saffioti was on hand at Nowergup Depot on June 22 to tour the site and take a look at the final B-series train.
“Nowergup Depot is the exact site where, 15 years ago, the B-series railcars were first revealed to the public by the Gallop Labor Government,” Saffioti said. “Since that date, 78 three-car trains have been fitted out at this facility, significantly boosting capacity on the Transperth network and setting the standard for modern, accessible and efficient public transport.”
Procurement is already underway for the next fleet of trains for Perth, the C-series, which will be six car sets. Budgeted at $1.6 billion, the contract will see 102 new railcars (17 sets) built to service new projects as they come online under the WA Government’s Metronet urban rail program. A further 144 railcars (24 sets) are being procured to replace the ageing A-series fleet.
The contract also includes a component for up to 30 years of maintenance of the fleet.
Delivery is set to begin in 2021, with the state set to sign a deal with a chosen supplier by the end of this year.
Three bidders were shortlisted last August for the contract: Alstom, a CAF/UGL pairing, and the Downer/Bombardier partnership.
The state wants trains with capacity for around 1,200 passengers, which works out to 200 per car. The trains are to have extra, wider doors, USB charging ports and eco-friendly measures.
Manufacturing will take place in WA, with a 50 per cent local manufacturing target. The project includes construction of a railcar assembly and commissioning facility at Bellevue.
“We’re committed to maximising jobs and local content on this project,” Saffioti said. “It’s only right that Western Australians reap the long-term economic benefits from the infrastructure they fund.”