The final New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train has now entered service for the Queensland government.
The 75th train, manufactured by Bombardier, will be used by the Queensland government to provide services to the growing South-East Queensland region. Already, the trains have travelled over eight million in service kilometres, and 150,000 passenger journeys, since December 2017.
“Our highly efficient commuter cars have been performing well, providing passengers in Queensland with a safe and comfortable ride. Bombardier is providing mobility solutions through its NGR and Gold Coast projects, helping the Queensland Government deliver its economic and public transportation development programs,” said Wendy McMillan, president, South East Asia and Australia, Bombardier Transportation.
Maintenance of the fleet will be carried out by Bombardier at Wulkuraka, near Ipswich, for 32 years, where testing and commissioning has been occurring.
“This significant milestone of the last NGR train delivery in Queensland was achieved thanks to close collaboration between Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Queensland Rail, Bombardier and our partners,” said McMillan.
“Bombardier has created more than 2,000 local jobs across the industry and supply chain throughout this project.”
The NGR rollingstock had to be modified in 2019 to revised design specifications in order to meet disability specifications. According to a statement from Bombardier, the new trains will be one of the most accessible in Australia.
At the time, Paul Brown, Bombardier Australia’s project director for the NGR project, said, “This variation order is an important request from our customer, and we will continue to work closely with them to deliver the NGR project in line with the enhanced specifications set out by the Queensland Government”.
Speaking to Rail Express in late 2018, Brown highlighted that the rollingstock were built to specification.
“Bombardier has delivered those trains within accordance with the contract.”