NSW opens industry engagement program for locally manufactured trains
The NSW Government has announced an industry engagement program on its Future Fleet Program to return to locally manufactured trains, which it says will help revive domestic manufacturing, create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.
The NSW Government has committed to start procuring the replacement of the ageing Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by early 2027, with a 50% local content target for designing, building and maintaining the new fleet of around 450 new carriages.
The Tangara fleet was built in Newcastle and has been running reliably for over 35 years.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has commenced what it says is a comprehensive market analysis and engagement campaign with manufacturers and suppliers to gather insights, identify key considerations, and help it shape the direction of further engagement for the Future Fleet Program.
“NSW had a long and proud history of rail manufacturing, and we are delivering on our commitment to revitalise the industry and create new jobs and economic opportunities,” said Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary of Infrastructure Projects and Engineering Camilla Drover. “By establishing a rail manufacturing pipeline, we will start the critical work of rebuilding skills and confidence in our manufacturing capability.”
Through the fleet pipeline, the NSW Government wants to leave a strong community legacy of secure and skilled rail manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships in a revitalised domestic rail manufacturing industry.
Domestic rail manufacturing businesses are encouraged to visit the TfNSW Industry Portal to access the survey and to register with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) so TfNSW can better understand local industry capacity and capability and continue engaging with industry during the Future Fleet Program's development, and in the lead up to commencement of procurement.
The industry survey opened on Monday 19 May will run until Friday 6 June. The NSW Government will return to industry in August 2025 on how it will implement the survey findings.
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