The first of 24 new air-conditioned suburban trains has rolled on to the Sydney network for testing today, the centrepiece of the $1.5 billion More Trains More Services program.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspected the first of the new trains in Auburn today ahead of its first passenger service later this year.
“Once the 24 new trains are in operation and proven reliable, the non-air-conditioned S-sets will be gradually decommissioned,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The good news is the areas where older trains are currently running, like Sydney’s south-west, will be given priority and receive the new Waratah trains first.
“After 16 years of Labor neglect, the NSW Liberals & Nationals are making the record investment in public transport to ensure we can provide for a 21 per cent jump in train patronage by 2021.”
The Waratah Series 2 trains will improve customer comfort and accessibility including features such as:
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said “Over the next few months of testing we will ensure the first Waratah Series 2 train delivers a safe and comfortable journey before the first passengers get on board.”
“Everyone is well aware that demand for trains is going through the roof and we need to act now to ensure we can continue to provide our customers with the services they need.
“In addition to the extra services we’ve delivered, another key part of the strategy is to add new trains to the network that will spend less time in maintenance and more time on the tracks.”
The Waratah Series 2 trains will arrive progressively in coming months with the entire fleet expected to be on the tracks in early 2019.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspected the first of the new trains in Auburn today ahead of its first passenger service later this year.
“Once the 24 new trains are in operation and proven reliable, the non-air-conditioned S-sets will be gradually decommissioned,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The good news is the areas where older trains are currently running, like Sydney’s south-west, will be given priority and receive the new Waratah trains first.
“After 16 years of Labor neglect, the NSW Liberals & Nationals are making the record investment in public transport to ensure we can provide for a 21 per cent jump in train patronage by 2021.”
The Waratah Series 2 trains will improve customer comfort and accessibility including features such as:
- Improved air conditioning with advanced temperature control.
- More than 90 Internal and external CCTV cameras and two customer help points per car
- Improved accessibility including priority seating, wheelchair spaces and hearing aid loops.
- High definition customer information screens to provide journey and safety information.
- Improved interior LED lighting.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said “Over the next few months of testing we will ensure the first Waratah Series 2 train delivers a safe and comfortable journey before the first passengers get on board.”
“Everyone is well aware that demand for trains is going through the roof and we need to act now to ensure we can continue to provide our customers with the services they need.
“In addition to the extra services we’ve delivered, another key part of the strategy is to add new trains to the network that will spend less time in maintenance and more time on the tracks.”
The Waratah Series 2 trains will arrive progressively in coming months with the entire fleet expected to be on the tracks in early 2019.