The NSW Government awarded the $2.3 billion contract to a multinational consortium which will build more than 500 carriages for the double-decker trains.
Advertisement
Downer is one of three bidding consortiums to have lost out to UGL Rail, an Australian engineering firm which will have a 15-year contract to maintain the new carriages at Kangy Angy on the central coast. The trainsets are to have 2+2 seating on both levels, with wider, fabric-covered seats with arm rests and more space than the existing rolling stock, charging points for mobile devices at each seat, cup holders and tray tables.
“There’s Australian jobs associated with the bid because there’s an Australian partner, UGL, as part of the consortium, so that means everybody wins”, he said.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said police charged more than 80 people and issued more than 240 infringements over the same period.
Luggage racks on the new intercity carriages.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has criticised the Baird government’s decision to not include any local content requirements in the lucrative tender, arguing there was a serious risk the rail manufacturing industry in Newcastle will collapse as a result.
“All too often we see people slipping and falling as they rush around station platforms, or not pay attention and fall through the gap”, Mr Constance said.
The new trains will be built by Hyundai Rotem in South Korea, prompting concerns from some officials about what impact the decision could have on domestic train building.
“We will come well within the $3.9 billion”, Mr Constance said on Thursday.
Transport authorities in the USA state of Pennsylvania were recently forced to temporarily remove from service a third of 360 carriages Hyundai Rotem was responsible for designing and building.
The RailConnect Consortium is a joint venture between the Hyundai Rotem Company, Mitsubishi Electric Australia and UGL Rail.
“Commissioning will be done here in Australia”, he said.
Advertisement
“Government have to ensure an efficient price but we can also back local businesses, local workers and give kids apprenticeships in skilled trades”.
