OTS contract awarded

Mr Baird said the North West Rail Link will take customer service and safety to a whole new level – bringing a world-class rapid transit rail service to Australia for the first time.

“Services on the North West Rail Link will start in the first half of 2019 with 15 trains an hour during the peak and 98 per cent on-time running – a much higher level of customer service than we first expected and an outstanding outcome for customers,” Mr Baird said. “The NSW Government promised 12 trains an hour but we’ll be able to start with 15 trains an hour in the peak – with significant room to grow as the North West’s population increases over coming decades.”

The North West Rail Link will be Australia’s first fully-automated rapid transit rail network, delivering eight new railway stations, 4,000 commuter car parking spaces and five existing railway stations upgraded to rapid transit status.

The Public Private Partnership is the largest ever awarded in NSW and will see the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium deliver the North West Rail Link by the first half of 2019 and operate it for 15 years. Ms Berejiklian said the contract just signed means Sydney’s new trains will be built by international train supplier Alstom who make rapid transit trains operating around the world in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Milan and Amsterdam.

“This project will transform and modernise public transport in Sydney forever. With tunnelling now underway and a contract signed to operate the rail network – the NSW Government is well and truly delivering,” she said.

“The country’s first new fully-automated rapid transit trains are being designed to meet the needs of Sydney. Our customers tell us that frequency of services is one of the most important factors when travelling on public transport – on the North West Rail Link, you won’t need a timetable, you’ll just turn up and go."

“At the start of operations, the North West Rail Link will use six-carriage trains, however more carriages and trains can be added as demand increases, with the platforms to be built long enough for eight-carriage trains.

“We’re working to fine-tune the seating configuration, but there will be plenty of seats as well as brand new innovations like multi-purpose areas for prams and luggage. There will also be customer service assistants at every station and they’ll also be moving through the network during the day and night.

“If we receive a mandate next March, the Rapid Transit network will be extended through the CBD and west to Bankstown, giving public transport customers right across Sydney access to fast, reliable and modern turn-up-and-go services.”

The Northwest Rapid Transit consortium is made up of MTR Corporation (Australia), John Holland, Leighton Contractors, UGL Rail Services and Plenary Group.