NSW to “accelerate” train procurement

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The NSW Government is to spend $50 million to “speed up” the replacement of the NSW TrainLink network’s ageing XPT fleet.

NSW’s state government is hoping to accelerate the replacement of older rolling stock, starting with the XPTs, which have been in service since the early 1980s.

The cash injection will allow the procurement for the replacement fleet to begin in the first half of next year.

This procurement programme will also look at opportunities to replace the XPLORER and Endeavour trains.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant said in a statement: “We’ve already committed to starting planning for a faster, modern, comfortable country train fleet by 2019, but we’re not going to wait.

“We’re getting the ball rolling now so we can get contracts signed in this term of Government and new trains on our tracks earlier.”

He added: “This is a real commitment to rail passengers in the bush and we expect it to also generate regional maintenance jobs.’’