THE State Government will release a tender this week to build 246 new railcars for Perth over the next decade as part of a $1.6 billion Metronet project.
Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced the upcoming tender at the Public Transport Authority’s depot in Nowergup this morning.
“Not only will Metronet deliver thousands of new constructions jobs, but the increased demand for new railcars will create a pipeline of work to boost our local manufacturing industry and maximise WA jobs,” Mr McGowan said.
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READ NOWThe pre-qualification tender will include a local content target of 50 per cent for manufacturing railcars, which was welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“This $1.6 billion tender will be a welcome boost to the State’s economy, creating jobs right here in WA, particularly in manufacturing,” chief executive Chris Rodwell said.
“Ensuring WA businesses have access to government procurement opportunities is critical to helping businesses grow and create jobs, and for WA to retain our skilled workforce.
“It is equally critical this is achieved without onerous regulations being imposed on major project contractors.”
Funding for a local railcar assembly facility and associated infrastructure is also included within the project’s budget.
The first stage of the project involves the delivery of 102 new railcars – 17 six-car sets – to service the Metronet projects as they come online.
A follow-on order for 144 railcars – 24 six-car sets – will also be included in the tender, to replace the network’s ageing A-series railcars which were the first electric railcars on the network.
The State Government allocated $508 million in the 2017-18 State Budget for the railcars, but will now expand the project to include the replacement of the A-series railcars and associated infrastructure.
Delivery of the first 17 new trains, known as the C-series, is due to start in 2021 and another 24 trains are expected to be delivered between 2023 and 2026.
“These trains will travel up to 280,000km a year for 35 years,” Ms Saffioti said.
“This is a great opportunity to deliver the next generation of trains that can provide more capacity, and faster transfers, and tap into our local workforce to deliver WA projects with local skills.”
Companies that make tender submissions will be short-listed to progress to an interactive tendering process before a final supplier is chosen in early 2019.
The supplier will also be expected to maintain the railcars for 30 years.