Australia’s Northwest Rapid Transit Consortium (NRT) has reached agreement with Sydney Metro for an extension to the existing NRT Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract that was first awarded in 2014.
As an extension of the existing Metro North West Line, the NRT PPP will provide a fully integrated turn-up and go service along a dedicated 66-kilometre metro network with a total of 31 stations from Rouse Hill through the City and to Bankstown. The Metro North West Line operator, Metro Trains Sydney, will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the entire line.
The City and Southwest extension includes a 15km greenfield line with seven new stations plus the conversion of the existing suburban rail line to metro rail standards, covering a further 13km of track and 11 existing stations. The project also includes expansion of the current Sydney Metro Trains Facility at Rouse Hill and a new trains facility at Sydenham.
Under the contract, valued at approx. €350 million, Alstom will be responsible for the project management, design, supply, manufacturing, testing and commissioning of 23 six-car fully automated Metropolis trains, along with the Urbalis 400 Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system that will control them.
The Metropolis trains and digital signalling systems for the City & Southwest project will include the same features as the North West Line, designed to meet the specific needs of Sydney. According to the specifications, the new trains will meet strict sustainability criteria; a robust lightweight structure, low energy consumption, high levels of recoverability and recyclability, technical reliability and ease of maintenance.
The trains will also be equipped with remote sensors for optimal maintenance planning and will be manufactured in Alstom’s manufacturing centre in Sri City, India, which previously delivered 22 Metropolis trains for the Metro North West Line. The contract also includes an option to purchase further trains if required.
Ling Fang, Alstom’s senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region, said: “Sydney Metro has been a game changer for the travelling public of Sydney and Alstom is delighted to continue to be a part of this iconic project. It strengthens Alstom’s position as the market leader for the supply of railway technologies in Australia.”
Construction of the new line is currently underway with revenue service expected to start in 2024.
Be the first to comment