The New South Wales Government has launched industry engagement for the Future Fleet Program, which is seeking to revive domestic train manufacturing.
The government has committed to begin procuring replacement trains for the ageing Tangara fleet by early 2027.
Replacement of the suburban passenger trains will require around 450 new train carriages to be manufactured.
The government has a 50 per cent local content target for designing, building and maintaining the new fleet.
Yesterday (May 19), Transport for NSW (TfNSW) commenced a market analysis and engagement campaign with manufacturers and suppliers to gather insights, identify key considerations, and help it shape the direction of further engagement for the Future Fleet Program.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary of Infrastructure Projects and Engineering Camilla Drover said: “NSW had a long and proud history of rail manufacturing, and we are delivering on our commitment to revitalise the industry and create new jobs and economic opportunities.
“By establishing a rail manufacturing pipeline, we will start the critical work of rebuilding skills and confidence in our manufacturing capability.”
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said: “The Tangara fleet was built in Newcastle and has served us well for more than 35 years.
“We want to ensure our future fleet will stand the test of time and support local jobs and local manufacturing.”
The government has encouraged domestic rail manufacturing companies to visit the TfNSW Industry Portal to access the survey and to register with the Industry Capability Network (ICN).
The industry survey is now open and will run until Friday 6 June. The NSW Government will return to industry in August 2025 on how it will implement the survey findings.
The replacement Tangara fleet will be the first in a long-term pipeline of locally built trains that extends out to the 2050s.
The Millenium and Oscar fleets will need replacing by the 2040s and the Waratahs in the 2050s.
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