Rail Supply, Signalling & Communications

Two shortlisted for $1bn Melbourne signalling deal

Melbourne Metro rail tunnel. Graphic: Victorian Government

Two consortia have been shortlisted to deliver up to $1 billion of signalling and communications systems as part of the Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne.

Public transport minister Jacinta Allan on Friday announced the shortlisted bidders for the Rail Systems Alliance deal:

    CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation
    John Holland, Siemens and UGL (MetroConnect)

The winning consortium will install high capacity signalling on the Sunbury-to-Pakenham line which the Metro Tunnel will facilitate – the first roll-out of HCS on an existing network anywhere in Australia, Allan said.

“The world’s best have been shortlisted to deliver the biggest and most advanced signaling package in Victoria’s history,” the minister said.

“The successful bidder will install next generation signaling, which will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour.”

The new technology will allow Metro Trains Melbourne to run up to 30 services an hour on the line.

The two shortlisted bidders will be asked to submit a formal proposal by early 2017, with a contract expected to be awarded later that year.

Allan also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence as part of the project, to support local skills, jobs and opportunities in the signalling and communication industry.