The Momentum Trains consortium has been awarded the design, build, finance and maintain contract for New South Wales’ $1.26 billion Regional Rail Fleet. The consortium is comprised of CIMIC Group’s Pacific Partnerships - with UGL and CPB Contractors -, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), CAF Investment Projects and DIF.
The billion dollar project will include the delivery of a new rail fleet and a purpose-built maintenance facility located in Dubbo. With this project, the NSW Government will be replacing the old regional rail fleet of XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains.
“This is a new era for regional rail in NSW.
“This is one of the most exciting transformations of passenger rail in NSW for decades, improving how people travel in regional NSW and making sure that investment goes straight back into regional economies,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said.
Under this contract, CPB Contractors will be responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of the maintenance facility while UGL will handle maintenance of the fleet of 117 rail cars as well as the facility; CAF will manufacture the rail cars; and CAF Investment Projects and DIF will provide equity financing together with Pacific Partnerships.
“Our integrated approach positions us to deliver a seamless, whole-of-life solution that achieves optimum outcomes. We’re focused on providing certainty of delivery and operational performance and ensuring customers benefit from safe, efficient rail service,” Pacific Partnerships Managing Director Martin D’Uva said.
The new rail fleet will feature more comfortable, reversible seating together with window blinds, charging points for electronic devices and overhead storage similar to that on airlines.
The 117 rail cars are set to become part of 10 regional intercity trains, nine short regional trains and 10 long regional trains.
The maintenance facility in Dubbo is going to be utilised for the final fit out and the commissioning of the trains.
“Building the new maintenance facility in Dubbo is a major boost for regional economies. Some 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase, around 60 jobs during train completion works, and around 50 permanent jobs during ongoing operations, including a number of apprenticeships and traineeships,” Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said.
Work on the project is expected to commence in early 2019, with the new trains progressively running on the tracks starting in 2023.
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Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); CIMIC Group