Three rail industry proponents have been shortlisted to take part in the development of Australia’s proposed high-speed rail service between Newcastle and Sydney.
The High Speed Rail Authority has selected the Alstom/UGL Joint Venture, the ARC Joint Venture and Hitachi Rail STS Australia for an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process covering trains, systems and system integration for the project.
The Alstom/UGL Joint Venture comprises Alstom Transport Australia and UGL Engineering. The ARC Joint Venture includes Siemens Mobility, Siemens Mobility GmbH and Mott MacDonald Australia.
The proponents will work with the Authority during the project’s Development Phase to develop designs and refine the scope, costs, approvals and programme ahead of a potential Australian Government investment decision.
Under the current plans, trains would operate at speeds of up to 320km/h on a dedicated railway between Newcastle and Sydney. The journey between the two cities is expected to take around one hour, while trips between the Central Coast and either Newcastle or Sydney would take approximately 30 minutes.
The Trains, Systems and System Integration package includes the supply of high-speed trains, as well as the design and delivery of rail systems, a depot and an operations control centre. The selected contractor would also be responsible for integrating, testing and commissioning the railway systems.
Rather than developing a bespoke train and systems solution, the shortlisted proponents will base their proposals on existing high-speed rail technologies and adapt them to Australian operating conditions, safety requirements and passenger needs.
The ECI process will also consider opportunities for Australian manufacturing, industry participation and workforce development.
In addition, the High Speed Rail Authority is proposing an Advanced Manufacturing Facility that could use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to support the delivery of the railway and involve Australian suppliers.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:Australia has a proud history of building trains here, and we are ready to drive a resurgence in local industry.
The three proponents we have shortlisted will take globally proven high-speed rolling stock and systems and adapt them for Australian High Speed Rail, Australian conditions and Australian passengers.
Through this process, the proponents will explore where we can use existing Australian rail manufacturing capability and advanced manufacturing facilities to support local jobs, and train the next generation of skilled Australian workers.
No major construction contract will be awarded before the Development Phase is completed and the relevant government decision-making process has concluded.
Following that process, one of the three shortlisted proponents could be selected to deliver the trains, depot and associated railway systems for the Newcastle–Sydney high-speed rail project.
High Speed Rail Authority Chief Executive Tim Parker said:We’re not starting from scratch – Australia's High Speed Rail will use tried and tested high speed trains and systems already operating successfully around the world. Our partners will work with us to adapt proven technology for Australian conditions, Australian safety requirements and the needs of Australian passengers.
High Speed Rail is about much more than speed. We want a reliable, accessible, comfortable and digitally-connected service that transforms the way people travel between Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.
Bringing the train and systems partners into the project now means we can design the railway around the customer experience from the start.
