New South Wales’ new Regional Rail Fleet will be built with bi-mode technology to allow both diesel and electric operation, for an estimated cost saving of $2 million a year.
Along with a saving in diesel fuel costs, the government estimates $1 million per annum in health and environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions by more than 540 tonnes annually – the equivalent of around 77 Australian households. The trains will also be quieter during their electric operation.
Similar trains are already in action in the United Kingdom, the USA, France, Spain and Japan.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Paul Toole said the technology demonstrated the state was “leading the charge” for more efficient and sustainable rail travel.
“This means when our trains enter electrified parts of NSW’s rail network they can connect to overhead power,” Toole said. “NSW’s electrified network reaches as far as Broadmeadow in the north, Lithgow in the west, Kiama in the south and Macarthur in the south west.”
Toole said the diesel engines themselves would also be efficient, low emission models.
“The NSW government is committed to delivering modern and comfortable public transport for the bush. Commuters will be able to charge their phones, recline their seats on longer regional journeys and use their laptops while travelling.”
The new fleet of 29 trains will be rolled out progressively from 2023, and maintained at a new facility in Dubbo.