Image: Metro Tunnel, Victoria.
The Victorian government has shortlisted two consortia to deliver signalling and communications systems to the Metro Tunnel – one of the largest public transport projects in the state’s history.
The high capacity systems have been valued up to $1 billion, and are a vital part in ensuring that the new public transport project has the safest and most up-to-date communications systems available.
The shortlisted bidders are for the Metro Tunnel Rail Systems Alliance (RSA), which are a consortium comprising CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation, and the other is the MetroConnect consortium comprising John Holland, Siemens and UGL.
According to the government, the successful bidder will install high capacity signalling (HCS) on the new Sunbury-to-Pakenham line, which will run through the Metro Tunnel.
The significance of this rollout is that it will be the first installation of HCS on an existing network anywhere in Australia.
The state government said that HCS will allow trains to safely run faster and closer together, meaning more trains and less travel time for passengers.
‘The advanced technology will mean we can run up to 30 services an hour – with the potential to create the true ‘turn-up-and-go’ two-minute services experienced in some of the biggest cities in the world,’ a statement from the government said.
On top of that, the government has established a ‘world-leading’ Centre of Excellence in Victoria, which will support local skills, jobs and opportunities in the growing rail signalling and communications industry.
The state government will ask shortlisted bidders for the RSA to submit a formal proposal by early 2017, with a contract expected to be awarded later in 2016.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the “world’s best” have been shortlisted to deliver the biggest and most advanced signaling package in Victoria’s history.
“The successful bidder will install next generation signaling, which will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour,” Ms Allan said.
She said the Centre for Excellence will provide skills, jobs and opportunities to local workers in the growing rail signaling industry.
“The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the Metro Tunnel, removing dangerous and congested level crossings and building bigger, better trains to get people home safer and sooner every day.”
