AusRAIL, Market Sectors

Seven bidders named in $2.8bn NSW fleet race

<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Transport for NSW has named the seven respondents to the Expressions of Interest call for the $2.8 billion next generation train fleet for longer distance travel. </span> <p>NSW minister for transport Gladys Berejiklian announced the seven players late last week, who may soon be invited to put together an application for tender to deliver and maintain the government’s next state-of-the-art intercity train fleet.<br /><br />The next generation train fleet will be for customers travelling longer distances from the South Coast, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle.<br /><br />The new fleet will include about 65 trains, totalling 520 carriages, and will be configured specifically for intercity customers.<br /><br />Alstom, Bombardier, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), Downer EDI, Hyundai Rotem, Stadler Bussnang and UGL were the seven companies listed by Transport for NSW.<br /><br />“This is a very important project, and we are finally delivering these brand new trains to customers,” Berejikilan said.<br /><br />“We had an industry briefing in May, and as a result we had a very positive response from well qualified and experienced organisations. There is now a strong contingent of local and international contenders keen to be involved in this project.”<br /><br />Berejiklian said Transport for NSW will now review the EoI responses, and later this year will invite a shortlist of the respondents to submit a detailed tender, to supply and maintain the new fleet.<br /><br />“I would encourage smaller local companies interested in being involved in the supply of the carriages, maintenance of the fleet or fit-out and management of the maintenance facility to start talking to these EoI respondents and find out what opportunities there may be to participate,” Berejiklian said.<br /><br />NSW customers are also being asked for their feedback on the fleet, Transport for NSW says to find out exactly what they want when it comes to the design and comforts of the new trains.<br /><br />Transport for NSW plans for the trains to come into service progressively, with the first trains delivered by 2019 and the rest of the fleet being delivered through to 2024.<br /><br />When the new trains have entered service, the V-Set intercity trains will be retired and the Oscar trains that travel to the South Coast, Central Coast and Newcastle will be redeployed to the Sydney Trains suburban network.</p>