NSW orders more Waratah trains to ease Sydney congestion

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Extra eight-car Waratah trains and a programme of infrastructure upgrades have been promised by Transport for NSW to meet the predicted growth in passenger numbers in Sydney.

Announcing its ‘More Trains, More Services’ programme, the authority said it plans to order 24 new Waratah-style trains, due on the network in 2018, and deliver a series of track, signalling and power upgrades.

An additional four trains will be added to both the morning and afternoon peaks between Parramatta and Sydney CBD when the new trains come into service in late 2018.

The programme will cost $1.5 billion and seeks to ensure the resilience of Sydney’s rail network over the next five years – in which time demand is expected to rise by 21 per cent.

Grant Fenn, chief executive officer of the train’s manufacturer Downer, said: “The Waratah trains have achieved exceptional availability and reliability – in fact they are the best performing train in the world.”

He added: “There is more than 90 per cent commonality between the design of the Sydney Growth Trains and the design of the Waratahs. All major sub-systems are the same including traction, brakes, doors, train information systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

“We look forward to working closely with Transport for NSW to provide more outstanding trains for Sydney’s commuters as well as long term employment opportunities in the New South Wales rail industry.”

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