High-tech rolling stock unveiled for South East Queensland. Image: Queensland Government.
Residents and travelers on the South East Queensland railway lines are about to get a first look at what the new high-tech commuter trains will look like, as the state government moves toward replacing the oldest trains on the network.
The Queensland government has ordered 75 six-car trains as New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) from Bombardier under a Public Private Partnership valued at $4.4 billion, which will boost the size of South East Queensland’s rail fleet by 30 per cent.
Not only are these trains being rolled out to replace older trains and expand the size of the network, they have also been designed with the latest technological features to help make for a more comfortable and convenient journey for passengers.
Some of these key features of the trains include wi-fi in every carriage; fully accessible toilet with baby change table; new internal and external CCTV cameras fitted throughout the train with movement sensors and emergency intercoms for passenger security; wider aisles, safer high-backed seats, floating seating with more leg room and under-seat storage for passengers; new straps to secure bicycles; a spacious cab and ergonomically designed console for drivers; and 12 inch CCTV display to allow train staff to monitor the cars.
Queensland Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the new generation trains will begin service later this year, boosting capacity on our rail network and improving the travel experience for commuters.
“The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains have been custom-designed for our suburban train network and will modernise our fleet eventually replacing the EMU train that is more than 30 years old,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
He said passengers will welcome many of the new and improved features in the trains which will deliver a safer, more comfortable journey for commuters.
A big part of the state government’s plan for maintenance of the fleet is to keep jobs within the state, as Mr Hinchliffe said the new trains would be maintained at a facility in Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich, and support 100 full-time and 50 part-time jobs.
“The facility in Wulkuraka will service, maintain and repair the 75 new trains supporting local jobs into the future,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
He said safety is the number one priority and these new commuter trains will be rolled out on the rail network to deliver passenger services later this year after they have undergone comprehensive testing and commissioning.
“Building the replica train meant that the local designs could be tested and modified as needed based on customer and user-testing feedback which is critical for a project of this scale,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
Bombardier’s NGR Project Director Paul Brown said it was great to be unveiling the replica and showing future customers what the new trains will look like.
“Bombardier’s design processes take into account all the latest safety standards, features and regulations to ensure comfort, safety and security for passengers and drivers with the trains also designed for reliability and energy efficiency,” Mr Brown said.
According to the Queensland government, the public will be able to inspect and tour the replica train at a Community Open Day at the NGR Maintenance Centre in Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich, on Saturday 13 February, 2016.
The first train is scheduled to begin service on the network in the second half of 2016.
