A growing public transport network needs more trains to service it.

The $1.6 billion Railcar Program will deliver 102 new railcars (17 six-car sets) needed for METRONET projects and 144 railcars (24 six-car sets) to replace the ageing A-series trains, which were the first electric trains on the Transperth network.  It will also seek to replace the five diesel railcars that operate the twice daily Australind service between Perth and Bunbury.

Delivery of the first 17 METRONET trains, known as the C-series, is due to begin in 2021, with the remaining 24 trains expected to enter service between 2023 and 2028.   Not only will this project allow increased capacity on the rail network to cater for boosted passenger numbers, it will improve service efficiency and reliability, as the older A-series trains are retired.

The Railcar Program has been identified as a Strategic Project under the WA Jobs Act 2017, which has additional requirements for local job creation.  With a target of 50 per cent local content for the manufacturing of the new trains, this project will bolster our local manufacturing industry and maximise WA jobs.

Procurement for the railcars, as well as a local railcar assembly facility and associated infrastructure is underway.

Bellevue Assembly Facility

Should the preferred supplier (to be awarded in 2019) not have facilities within WA to assemble the new railcars, an assembly and commissioning facility will be built at Bellevue.

Located in an industrial area with easy access to the passenger network, the Bellevue site is an ideal place to assemble and commission the new railcars.  Situated at the end of the Midland line, Bellevue has also been previously identified for a future depot to support rail operations across the PTA network.

Bellevue is the preferred site for a proposed assembly and commissioning facility for the new railcars