As procurement progresses to deliver 246 new C-series railcars for METRONET, the last of 78 B-series trains is about to start running on the Transperth network, 15 years after the first of its type was launched.

The last B-series train is planned to go into service on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines next week. In comparison to the first electrified A-series model, the B-series boosted passenger capacity by 30 per cent setting the standard for modern, accessible and efficient public transport.

While the final design and features of the C-series railcars will be determined in cooperation with the chosen supplier, the fully-accessible trains are expected to have a capacity of about 1200 passengers, have extra, wider doors for easier boarding, USB charging ports and eco-friendly features like LED lighting and regenerative braking.

The $1.6 billion project will bring railcar manufacturing back to WA and create about 120 jobs. It will see 102 new railcars (17 six-car sets) built to service new METRONET projects as they come on line and another 144 railcars (24 six-car sets) procured to replace the ageing A-series trains which are nearing the end of their service life.

Delivery of the first C-series trains is expected to start in 2021.