First of new trains arrive in Perth

The first of 22 three-car train sets has arrived in Perth and will be operating on the city’s rail network with months.

The new trains are part of the Liberal National Government’s $243million investment in new rolling stock to meet growing demand on the rail network.

The train set is now being commissioned at the Midland rail workshops.

Inspecting the new train today, Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the arrival of the new three-car trains marked the start of a pivotal three-year period, with the remaining 21 new three-car train sets coming on to the Transperth system every few months. 

“This is a significant day for public transport users,” Mr Buswell said.

“The arrival of this train means that it will be on the system, carrying passengers and moving more people more efficiently before the end of the year.”

The Minister said each new three-car set would carry more than 600 passengers, compared to about 400 people in a two-car set.

“The Liberal National Government has invested $243million in new railcars, which increases Transperth’s railcar fleet by 28 per cent,” he said.

“Over the next three years, these trains will flow on to the network, boosting capacity and gradually reducing overcrowding for passengers.”

The train will have its bogies changed from standard gauge - fitted for the trip across Australia - to narrow gauge at the Midland workshops.

It will then undergo commissioning and safety testing before travelling to Transperth’s railcar depot at Nowergup, north of Perth, to be fitted with seats and signage.

Mr Buswell said the train would go straight into service on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines where there was the most latent demand.

“Eventually passengers on the whole network will reap the benefit of increased capacity as the A-series trains, currently operating on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines, will be reallocated to the Fremantle, Midland and Armadale lines,” the Minister said.