Perth businesses will be offered grants up to $20,000 to help them take part in the upcoming $1.6 billion Metronet railcar program.
The state government said on July 26 it would provide grants to qualifying small- to medium-sized businesses to help them meet essential pre-qualification requirements, and purchase and upgrade essential equipment to be a part of the local manufacturing process.
The grants process will begin once a bidder is selected from three shortlisted proponents for the contract.
Alstom; a joint venture of CAF and UGL; and a joint venture of EDI Rail and Bombardier are competing to deliver the Metronet rollingstock contract.
The contract demands local construction of 246 new railcars: 17 six-car sets to service new rail projects under the state’s Metronet banner, and another 24 six-car sets to replace the Perth network’s aging A-series fleet.
Once the winning bidder is selected, local SMEs will be able to apply for the supply chain grants through WA Industry Link.