WA - Metronet

[ozbob]

Perth Now --> $2.3 billion jobs boost for WA

A LANDMARK $2.3 billion roads and rail deal struck between the Federal and State Governments will create 6000 new jobs in WA over the next two years.

Lauded as a "game changer for WA", the multibillion-dollar windfall will ignite a construction boom in Perth, ease traffic congestion and kick-start the Metronet railway expansion.

The Sunday Times can reveal full details of the 17 roads and rail projects that have been agreed after two months of negotiations concluded this week.

Crucially, the Turnbull Government has agreed to re-direct $1.2 billion in Federal funds previously allocated to the now cancelled Perth Freight Link.

Tuesday's Federal Budget will also inject another $400 million to the building spree, bringing the Commonwealth's commitment to $1.6 billion — far more than previously expected.

The State Government, which will pump in $745 million by redirecting money from the PFL and savings on other projects, lauded the deal as a "massive victory for common sense and for WA's economy".

"This will be the most significant boost for local jobs this State has seen in a long time," Premier Mark McGowan said last night.

In a major victory for the McGowan Government, $1.26 billion was secured for Metronet. This includes the removal of the level crossing at Denny Avenue and Davis Road ($62 million), a depot at Herne Hill ($25 million) and business case development ($40 million).

Subject to positive assessment of business cases by Infrastructure Australia, $700 million will fund the Thornlie-Cockburn link and an extension of the Joondalup Line to Yanchep.

Construction of both rail lines is due to start in 2019.

Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann described talks with the McGowan Government as "very constructive" and said the agreement was "very much in WA's interest".

While he remained convinced the PFL project — cancelled after Labor's State election victory — was "critically important" to WA, Senator Cormann said the Federal Government had to "make some pragmatic decisions in the public's interest".

"Our Government and the State Government sat down, talked things through and with goodwill and a bit of give and take on both sides, we have been able to put together a substantial $2.3 billion infrastructure package for WA, including a $1.6 billion Federal funding contribution," Senator Cormann, a WA Senator, said.

He said the deal recognised the priorities of the new State Government, such as Metronet but also incorporates Federal Government-supported projects.

This includes components of the Roe 8 project, such as a $100 million extension of Murdoch Drive to Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway.

Other Federal priorities include planning the next stage of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road ($12.5 million), a freeway on-ramp at Manning Road and Kwinana Freeway ($35 million) and yet-to-be determined regional road safety schemes ($44.2 million).

Other significant projects to start in the next two years as part of the Federal-State deal include:

    ARMADALE Road to North Lake Road bridge ($237 million and 1400 jobs).
    UPGRADE of High Street between Carrington Street and Stirling Highway ($118 million and 700 jobs).
    ROE Highway / Kalamunda Road grade separated intersection ($86 million and 600 jobs).
    DUAL carriageway on Reid Highway between Altone Road and West Swan Road ($70 million and 400 jobs).
    WANNEROO Road / Ocean Reef Road grade separated intersection ($65 million and 350 jobs) and Wanneroo Road / Joondalup Drive grade separated intersection ($50 million and 280 jobs).
    WIDENING Kwinana Freeway northbound lanes between Russell Road and Roe Highway ($49 million and 340 jobs).
    PERTH'S first "smart freeway" on Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Narrows Bridge. Includes converting an emergency stopping lane between Canning Highway and the Narrows into a traffic lane ($47 million and 245 jobs).
    WIDENING Mitchell Freeway southbound lanes between Cedric Street and Vincent Street ($40 million 280 jobs).
    THE State will also bring forward existing funding to dual carriageway Armadale Road between Tapper Road and Anstey Road.

The Federal Budget will include a $226 million GST top-up for Western Australia.

Senator Cormann said the payment would be made before June 30.

The renegotiation of the Roe 8 contract between the State Government and contractors is set to be signed in days to allow work to proceed on the new projects.

Mr McGowan said securing employment for the Roe 8 workforce was a priority.

"We will be able to do that now and also deliver ongoing jobs for so many other West Australians," he said.

"Pushing ahead with Perth Freight Link so close to the election was wrong but we've moved past that now and we're getting on with the job."

Senator Cormann acknowledged the PFL would not be built in the next four years but said the Federal Government would "provide the necessary funding for the PFL project to any future Western Australian government, which proceeds with the project".

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the "decision to not proceed with the deeply flawed PFL project was carefully thought through and in the long-term interests of the State".

[ozbob]

" ... In a major victory for the McGowan Government, $1.26 billion was secured for Metronet. This includes the removal of the level crossing at Denny Avenue and Davis Road ($62 million), a depot at Herne Hill ($25 million) and business case development ($40 million).

Subject to positive assessment of business cases by Infrastructure Australia, $700 million will fund the Thornlie-Cockburn link and an extension of the Joondalup Line to Yanchep.

Construction of both rail lines is due to start in 2019. ... "

Good for WA.  Not much happening in Queensland ..

[BrizCommuter]

" ... In a major victory for the McGowan Government, $1.26 billion was secured for Metronet. This includes the removal of the level crossing at Denny Avenue and Davis Road ($62 million), a depot at Herne Hill ($25 million) and business case development ($40 million).

Subject to positive assessment of business cases by Infrastructure Australia, $700 million will fund the Thornlie-Cockburn link and an extension of the Joondalup Line to Yanchep.

Construction of both rail lines is due to start in 2019. ... "

Good for WA.  Not much happening in Queensland ..

So WA is broke, yet they are still building infrastructure.

Queensland, now not so broke, and nothing....

[ozbob]

The extension to Yanchep is ready to roll  ..

A couple of pics I took at Butler looking towards Yanchep

{ Have I told you what a marvellous rail network Transperth is?  Yes ... ok then ..  }





Photographs R Dow 6th January 2017

[ozbob]

WA is moving on with rail extensions & LX removal with help from Mal ..
Angry @jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP ?
> https://t.co/rkUexpdI40#qldpol pic.twitter.com/7nYGDqSeI0

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

^

I am furious! 🙃
Sunshine Coast Line languishes. Ext to Redbank Plains is needed as much as the ext to Yanchep WA. #qldpol https://t.co/ZaQCexG2XT

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

^

Why is it other states get their acts together but Queensland blunders on ?#qldpol#Ihaveaclue#DTMRhasnotaclue https://t.co/V3iJTplQmh

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

[ozbob]

Turnbull tips in funding for Metronet - https://t.co/ejAP4GrbAD pic.twitter.com/bAmd0PWVHZ

— Rail Express (@RailExpressNews) May 7, 2017

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/905710988271353856

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railmaps/status/905709461221785601

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/987881658601766912

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/987882462855315456

246/3 = 82 3 car sets = 41 6 car sets ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/988812592834473984

[Stillwater]

One track mind here in Palaszczuk's Queensland ... its CRR and then the rest, with daylight in between.  All of this funding obsession from Labor over a project that the State ALP says it will fund 100 per cent (requiring no federal capital injection then)... and which Labor itself (through state and federal arms) has pledged $7.6 billion to build when the touted cost is $5.4 billion.
Lots of good (little) projects such as Springfield Extension to Redbank Plains, duplication to Shorncliffe etc. ETCS could be funded for far less amounts.  Nope, it's CRR or nothing as far as Trad and Bailey are concerned.  Which means nothing.

[ozbob]

The West Australian --> Perth train commuters to benefit from $2b Federal Government funding

Perth commuters will be the big winners from a Metronet funding deal between the State and the Commonwealth, with almost $2 billion in Federal funds to flow to WA's rail network.

As part of a $3.2 billion Budget cash splash to be unveiled in Perth today, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will commit more than $1 billion of new funding for rail infrastructure, which will predominantly benefit voters in Liberal-held seats of Pearce, Canning and Hasluck.

Mr Turnbull said the "congestion-busting" funding package, which is on top of $790 million allocated for Metronet in last year's Budget, would help commuters across the city.

"The Turnbull and McGowan governments are jointly committed to delivering the next stage of the expansion of the Perth rail network through Metronet, which aims to tackle urban congestion in Perth," Mr Turnbull said.

The Federal funding package includes $500 million for the Ellenbrook rail line from Morley, which is expected to cost about $1 billion, and $241 million for the extension of the Armadale train line to Byford on Perth's rapidly expanding south-eastern edge.

The package also includes $83 million for the relocation of the "ageing" Midland train station, which will be demolished and moved closer to the St John of God Midland Hospital.

Another $2 million will be allocated to develop a business case for a railway station at Lakelands and $226 million on other Metronet-related projects.

Premier Mark McGowan welcomed the rail funding announcements, labelling the package a "major win" for WA that will allow it to deliver its hallmark State election policy.

"We successfully secured this funding from the Commonwealth to the benefit of all West Australians," Mr McGowan said. "Just like we secured a major deal from Federal Labor.

"Work will start on the rail line to Ellenbrook — we are building, just like we promised."

In total, Federal funding for Metronet will now exceed $1.84 billion, with this year's $1.05 billion investment coming on top of $790 million allocated last year for the Thornlie and Yanchep line extensions and other related Metronet projects.

Another $490 million was committed by the Federal Government in 2016 to the then Barnett government for the Forrestfield-Airport rail link.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised a Labor government would spend $700 million on the Ellebrook rail line and $291 million on the Byford extension, part of plans for a $1.6 billion fund compensating WA for its low GST share.

[ozbob]

Perth Now --> Metronet stage one: New-look Perth taking shape

EXTENSIVE work to the steel lines that stitch Perth together is well under way, but battles are brewing across the city as the facelift spills off the tracks and into surrounding suburbs.

The days of sleepy suburban platforms appear numbered as the McGowan Government's Metronet vision combines with ambitious in-fill targets to accelerate the transformation of train stations into hubs for commercial and residential development.

Sprawled over more than 80km of coastline, Perth is the world's 63rd biggest city by land area. But ranked by population density, the WA capital does not even crack the top thousand — 1005th in a list that only runs to 1064.

Consider also that public transport patronage is at a six-year low and taxpayer subsidies to keep the trains, buses and ferries running are approaching $1 billion a year.

That means there is both room and a compelling economic case for in-fill concentrated around transport nodes, and with Perth's population tipped to double in the next 30 years, so-called transit oriented developments (TODs) have emerged as one of the State Government's primary receptors for that growth.

Since Labor swept to power last March the WA Planning Commission has considered activity centre plans around train stations in Yanchep, Alkimos, Beckenham and Meltham.

Community consultation on a revamped Bayswater station opened last month and structure planning is also under way for new stations at Redcliffe, Forrestfield North and Eglinton.

Under the former Barnett government, widespread development began in station precincts at Claremont, Cockburn Central, Canning Bridge and Murdoch, while Subiaco and Joondalup were among the first forays into the TOD space in the 1990s.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti points to housing affordability, economic activity, patronage and safety among the key benefits.

But that progress does not come without pain — in this case for the people who have spent years happily living in those same precincts and are now faced with the prospect of high-rise development and drastic changes.

By Ms Saffioti's own admission planning a TOD around a brand new station at a greenfield site like Yanchep is very different to rezoning the land around a heritage stop like Meltham, Shenton Park or Daglish.

Which is why, as one of the first Metronet cabs off the rank, the upgrades to Bayswater station and surrounds are an important case study.

"We have to make sure we do Bayswater well and people see the positive outcomes," Ms Saffioti said. "A lot of (resistance to density) is people fearing what they don't know and so we want to demonstrate really good density and how it works as part of a whole precinct."

A draft Bayswater Town Centre structure plan provides for 3000 new dwellings and more than doubles retail floor space.

The document — which would open the door to big swathes of four-to-six-storey development surrounding the station — has caused a rift within the local community.

Future Bayswater pro-development group chairman Paul Shanahan — a teacher at nearby Chisholm College — calls the proposed structure plan "undercooked" with neither the height nor density required.

"If all we get is a train station but we don't get urban renewal in the surrounding area it will be a failure," he said. "Metronet is an urban regeneration plan as well as a transport plan.

"At the moment there are very few options to play and spend locally and business as usual will mean the town centre becomes more and more moribund, tired and downgraded."

While recognising the need for renewal, Bayswater Deserves Better lobby group member Tessa Hopkins said it was also important to preserve the architectural styles of heritage precincts.

She said the group had limited its lobbying to just one of the 10 zones identified in the proposed structure plan and her primary concern was that existing heritage buildings there would be demolished in favour of new development architecturally unsympathetic to the area.

"Retro-fitting a Metronet precinct into an existing heritage area hasn't been done before," she said. "Knowing the planning system is what it is, with development assessment panels seemingly always siding with developers and no third-party appeal rights in WA, people are worried.

"In my view the State Government and Planning Minister should state exactly what their expectations are for our structure plan.

"You can't stand in front of a bulldozer everywhere all of the time — nor do we want to — but if the City of Bayswater is meeting its in-fill targets it should be able determine its own destiny to some extent."

The McGowan Government may have tipped its hand with regards to its aspirations around Metronet stations with the WAPC's recent release of proposed zoning changes for parts of Subiaco.

The draft document shows zonings jumping from R20 to R80 and R100 in parts of Daglish and Shenton Park within walking distance of the respective train stations.

Long-time Subiaco realtor and The Property Exchange owner Niki Peinke said clearing the way for three or four-storey flats in the area was "absolute madness" and would destroy one of Perth's historic precincts.

"We are talking about turning one of the city's original suburbs, filled with beautiful heritage homes, into a development site. It is horrendous," she said.

"No one in their right mind would have put that zoning forward knowing the destruction it would create."

Property Council of WA executive director Lino Iacomella said it was crucial to set the correct housing and commercial zonings around train station precincts for Perth to achieve its growth ambitions.

"This means an honest conversation with local communities about the scale of the expected development and the benefits of greater housing diversity, more local employment and more reinvestment of local tax revenues into local amenities like better roads and reliable public transport," he said.

Mr Iacomella said "most stations in Perth" would benefit from a local precinct plan but that most viable locations for development were those with high adjoining land values that could support the sales of apartments and commercial premises.

"Many of these are along the heritage lines like the Fremantle and inner-city parts of the Joondalup and Midland lines," he said.

Curtin University lecturer in urban and regional planning Courtney Babb supports the rollout of TODs but predicted it would be politically challenging to introduce the required widespread zoning reform.

"The car changed the way that stations developed but I think there is a real shift back, especially for areas that do have amenity in inner urban neighbourhoods," Dr Babb said. "Reintroducing the traditional function of rail stations as hubs of activity and business and lifestyle is still there as a planning ideal.

"The suburbs that have high levels of amenity that make them ideally suited for TODs are also those most likely to encounter opposition from local residents."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Rita_Saffioti/status/994404885410988033

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Rita_Saffioti/status/994488472822923264

[ozbob]

North Coast Times --> Metronet legislation to pave way for construction of Yanchep rail extension

LEGISLATION to enable the Yanchep rail extension was recently introduced into State Parliament.

The Railway (Metronet) Bill 2018 will authorise the rail infrastructure construction for the project and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, and construction can start once it has been enacted.

The Yanchep Rail Extension project will extend the Joondalup Line from north of Butler Station and build three stations, at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said it was a milestone for the two projects that would improve the connectivity of Perth's public transport network.

"This Bill authorises the construction of a railway from Butler Station to Yanchep, to service one of Australia's fastest growing regions," she said.

"The Yanchep Rail Extension will be a catalyst for major planned urban growth to facilitate better land use outcomes around train stations, which will ultimately lead to higher public transport patronage, shorter journey times and better access to jobs."

The State Government expects to finalise the Project Definition Plans soon, with construction planned to start next year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1008178668621967360

[Lungfish]

The extensions of the  Joondalup line to Yanchep and the Thornlie line to Cockburn Central are a step closer with WA cabinet endorsing the project definition plans for both lines.

http://metronet.wa.gov.au/news-info/news/two-projects-move-to-next-phase

[ozbob]

Perth Now --> Alkimos train station works on Yanchep line signals start of Metronet

THE wrappers will today come off the first Metronet project to be built on a new railway connecting Butler to Yanchep and one of the first to get off the ground in Perth's northern suburbs.

The latest plank in the State Government's $3.6 billion revamp of Perth's public transport will be in Alkimos and is projected to boost the Alkimos-Eglinton region's population to 60,000 and create up to 15,000 jobs.

Earthworks will start in 2019 and the Alkimos station is expected to be operating by 2021.

It will be the first new train station on the Yanchep line extension, which will extend the Joondalup rail line to Yanchep — one of six rail expansions planned under the Metronet banner. Other stations will be at Eglinton and Yanchep.

The 231ha slice of land east of Marmion Avenue, dubbed Alkimos Central, is intended to house a mix of residential, retail, commercial and recreational development.

While most development along the rail extension will be in the hands of private developers, government agency LandCorp is in charge of Alkimos Central.

The Government's vision for Metronet is to create a series of transport hubs. However, even its own website acknowledges that development around a station can take 30 to 40 years to reach target densities.

Under LandCorp's master plan, the wider Alkimos area will comprise four connected developments, including one on the foreshore.

Metronet has been billed by the Government as WA's biggest investment in rail infrastructure.

Premier Mark McGowan said the new precinct "embodies all the wider aims of the Metronet program".

"Metronet is more than an integrated public transport plan connecting Perth's suburbs," he said.

"It's also about creating communities where people can live and work while being able to access services and public transport.

"Alkimos Central will provide the focal point for up to 13,500 local jobs needed in the region to meet employment self-sufficiency targets, while the construction of the Yanchep rail extension is expected to generate more than 1600 jobs."

Transport and Lands Minister Rita Saffioti said the precinct was intended to be both a transport hub and "a destination to visit, work and shop in its own right".

"It will feature a retail area, mixed density residential development, business precincts, plus a civic and cultural zone," she said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1037543792998375424

[ozbob]

WA Today --> Delay risk for Metronet train deliveries as Queensland workers strike

Delivery of trains for Perth's Forrestfield Airport rail link could be delayed after workers at the Queensland factory where they are being assembled walked out on strike.

About 250 manufacturing workers at Downer EDI's Maryborough facility are locked in a bitter industrial dispute over a new enterprise bargaining agreement and will consider further industrial action later this week.

On Monday, they commenced three days of protected action to force the company to employ more local workers, abandon plans to pare back personal leave entitlements and offer a wage increase in line with cost of living increases.

The union representing the workers warned industrial action would escalate if the company failed to meet their demands.

This would disrupt the delivery schedule for the trains, which are all due by 2020.

"As it stands now, there are a number of trains that should've been delivered to the WA government by Downer," Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) negotiator Kegan Scherf said.

"At this stage, that protected industrial action looks set to delay the delivery of those trains.

"We have flagged with Downer for some time that this was on the cards.

"They've obviously not taken the frustrations of our members seriously, but now they find themselves in this position."

Although the company at the centre of the dispute denied there would be delays, Mr Scherf called on the McGowan Government to intervene on their behalf.

"We call on the McGowan Government to tell Downer that they should return to the bargaining table in the interests of WA commuters.

"Downer's arrogance is costing WA commuters every day.

"It's through public money that Downer receives these contracts, both from the WA government and the Queensland government and the least they can do is return to the negotiation table so that people don't have to suffer as a result of their actions."

A spokesman for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the delivery of trains was well advanced.

"The minister is not familiar with the industrial dispute in Queensland and matters of industrial relations there are best handled by Downer, the union and the Queensland Government," he said.

Mr Scherf said the union's members would decide on further strike action after a meeting with management on Thursday.

Downer EDI builds the trains in partnership with Canadian transportation manufacturing giant Bombardier.

In 2016 the joint venture picked up a $511 million contract to build and maintain 10 three-car commuter trains to "meet the rising public demand for commuter rail services and support the Forrestfield Airport line extension".

A spokeswoman for WA's Public Transport Authority said Downer EDI had notified it of industrial action occurring at its Maryborough facility.

"Five of the 10 B-series trains have been delivered to WA, and most of the remaining five are in the advanced stages of assembly," she said.

"We are working with Downer EDI and at this stage do not foresee any significant delays."

A spokeswoman for Downer said the company did not anticipate this week's Maryborough industrial action to affect delivery.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Two Metronet projects granted priority status by Infrastructure Australia

Two of Western Australia's Metronet project, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension, have been granted priority status by Infrastructure Australia (IA).

IA has placed the two projects on its Infrastructure Priority List of nationally significant investments following assessment of their business cases.

The final documents to secure federal funding for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension were formally accepted by Infrastructure Australia in August.

Federal urban infrastructure and cities minister Alan Tudge said the IA priority listing of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension was a significant milestone for the Metronet project.

"It demonstrates why the Australian Government committed $3.2 billion in the 2018–19 Budget for network shaping projects in Western Australia such as METRONET, which together are expected to generate over 20,000 jobs across the state."

IA's acting chief executive Anna Chau said that the two Metronet projects had been designed to address the problem of capacity constraints on Perth's metropolitan rail network, which was previously highlighted on the Infrastructure Priority List as a Priority Initiative requiring action in the short term.

"Metronet aims to increase the capacity and reach of Perth's metropolitan rail network. As part of the overall program, the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link will enable more people to use public transport and reduce pressure on the road network – something which will become increasingly critical as the city's population grows," Chau said.

The Yanchep Rail Extension involves extending the Joondalup Line from Butler Station to Yanchep, with new stations planned for Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep to support population growth in the city's north-west.

The proposed Thornlie-Cockburn Link involves the construction of two new train stations, Nicholson Road Station and Ranford Road Station, and construction of a new passenger rail corridor which follows the Midland to Kwinana freight line.

"With a stated benefit-cost ratio of 2.6 from the WA Government, IA is confident that extending the Joondalup Rail Line to this growth area will provide more transport choices for residents and reduce demand on the roads," Chau said.

"The WA Government's proposal to link Thornlie Station on the Armadale Line to Cockburn Central Station on the Mandurah Line will improve network connectivity and relieve pressure on existing interchanges, such as at Murdoch.

"The WA Government has stated a benefit-cost ratio of 1.2 for the project, with Infrastructure Australia's assessment finding that the benefits of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link would marginally exceed its costs."

WA transport minister Rita Saffioti said that IA's approval and the passing of enabling legislation marked an exciting new stage for the Metronet projects.

"We have worked closely with Infrastructure Australia to thoroughly address their assessment criteria in demonstrating how these projects will help build a future Perth that is connected and offers people more choices for travel, housing and jobs," Saffioti said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/metronetperth/status/1065800960998404096

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1079997362007814144

[ozbob]

Metronet --> Railcar facility design contract awarded

The contract to design a future railcar depot, incorporating assembly and commissioning facilities for the new C-series trains, has been awarded.

After a competitive tender process, Aurecon was awarded the contract to design the facility in Perth's eastern suburb of Bellevue, which is only a few kilometres away from where the original home of railways in Perth stood at the Midland workshops. 

The new depot will support the maintenance and operation of the B-series railcars on the Fremantle, Midland and Armadale/Thornlie lines. 

The assembly and commissioning facility, will allow for the local manufacture of 246 new railcars over the next 10 years, should the preferred supplier of the trains (currently shortlisted to Alstom Transport Australia; Momentum West and EDI Rail – Bombardier Transportation) not have a suitable location for assembly in WA.

The detailed design of the assembly and commissioning facilities is due to be completed towards the end of the year, with a construction contract to be awarded in early 2020. The contract to deliver the new trains will be awarded later this year with the first locally-built train expected to enter service in late 2021.

Planning approval was granted by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority in September and this contract forms part of the $1.6 billion Railcar Program.

Read more about the new C-Series trains in our fact sheet and project definition plan summary .

https://twitter.com/metronetperth/status/1126286386179362816

[ozbob]

Wouldn't it be ironic if Bomdardier wins the contract, and in time when Queensland finally realises they will need more NGRs that these are built in WA and railed to Queensland ...   



(Each time I look at progress over in WA I am reminded how far behind we are in Queensland)   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Rita_Saffioti/status/1142281851681165312

[ozbob]

Metronet --> Final B-series railcar delivered

As procurement progresses to deliver 246 new C-series railcars for METRONET, the last of 78 B-series trains is about to start running on the Transperth network, 15 years after the first of its type was launched.

The last B-series train is planned to go into service on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines next week. In comparison to the first electrified A-series model, the B-series boosted passenger capacity by 30 per cent setting the standard for modern, accessible and efficient public transport.

While the final design and features of the C-series railcars will be determined in cooperation with the chosen supplier, the fully-accessible trains are expected to have a capacity of about 1200 passengers, have extra, wider doors for easier boarding, USB charging ports and eco-friendly features like LED lighting and regenerative braking.

The $1.6 billion project will bring railcar manufacturing back to WA and create about 120 jobs. It will see 102 new railcars (17 six-car sets) built to service new METRONET projects as they come on line and another 144 railcars (24 six-car sets) procured to replace the ageing A-series trains which are nearing the end of their service life.

Delivery of the first C-series trains is expected to start in 2021.

[ozbob]

Metronet --> Automatic Train Control submission to IA

As Perth continues to grow, so does demand for public transport, and the answer to making the most of our existing network lies with a part that is hidden from view but is essential to how the trains operate.

The Automatic Train Control (ATC) project will upgrade the existing signalling and control systems, which are nearing the end of their asset lives, to an integrated high-capacity system, that allows for future growth with more frequent, reliable, safe and punctual train operations.

This long-term project meets recommendations by Infrastructure Australia, the national independent assessment body, which recommends investing in existing infrastructure through smarter operations and maximising capacity.

The project has moved one step closer to securing federal funding with formal documentation recently received by Infrastructure Australia. For more information on the assessment framework and evaluation process, please visit  Infrastructure Australia online.

The Public Transport Authority is continuing to progress the Automatic Train Control project scoping and definition works.

[ozbob]

Morley-Ellenbrook Line

>> https://www.metronet.wa.gov.au/projects/morley-ellenbrook-line

The Morley-Ellenbrook Line is a new 21km rail line that will travel from Ellenbrook's growing town centre, down the western side of New Lord Street, through land north of Marshall Road and down the middle of Tonkin Highway, connecting at Bayswater Station on the Midland Line.

Stations will be built in Ellenbrook, Whiteman Park, Malaga, Noranda and Morley with a station planned at Bennett Springs East, as population levels increase and development progresses in the area.

Confirming the route and station locations for this line is a result of analysing more than 100 potential options to improve transport outcomes for Perth's north-eastern corridor. 

While the route will now be refined during the project definition phase to finalise the exact alignment, design, timing and cost, the confirmation of the line and station locations allows for the environmental approvals process and early market engagement to begin.

Morley-Ellenbrook route confirmed

Morley-Ellenbrook route confirmedhttps://t.co/NdbLtYjzyF#wapol
This is what should be happening for Ripley rail hey @MarkBaileyMP @SteveMinnikinMP #qldpolhttps://t.co/oU6rU3uA2T

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 4, 2019

[ozbob]

'Missing link': Morley to Ellenbrook train line to cut commuter time in half https://t.co/SA0jbwgE5R via @watoday #wapol

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 4, 2019

[#Metro]

Perth just gets things done.

How are they funding it?

[ozbob]

Perth just gets things done.

How are they funding it?

Feds are funding big time, some WA contribution >> https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=099989-18WA-PKG

It seems Queensland cannot get its act together but other Labor states are getting a motza from the Feds.

Our lot are just bumbling incompetents .. 

[SurfRail]

A lot of it is just that the other states behave more professionally.  If WA had shambolic machinery of government in place instead of the PTA they wouldn't be in anywhere near as solid a position.

[ozbob]

^ agreed.  WA has the PTA-WA, here we have a collection of silos overflowing with bumblers! 

Until we have a proper public transport authority in Queensland, we will be seen by outsiders as not very serious with PT, it is seen as a side show of TMR,  and unable to organise a birthday cake at the Golden Arches.

No wonder they are unable to get serious funding here in banana-land ..

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Drivers sought for Metronet expansion

The West Australian government has opened a new round of recruitment of Transperth train drivers as part of its Metronet urban rail program.

60 new drivers will are sought under the new program, which is to align with a number of key Metronet projects set to expand the network.

The first of the new recruits should be ready in time for the opening of the Forrestfield-Airport Link, due for late 2021.

"There are plenty of us who would have held childhood dreams of driving a train," WA transport minister Rita Saffioti said on August 16.

"With applications now open for the next round of Transperth train drivers, now could be the time to turn these dreams into reality."

To drive for Transperth, one must first complete a 25-week paid training period, as well as on-the-job training as a trainee railcar driver, to achieve a Certificate IV in Train Driving.

Training includes 11 weeks in the classroom learning theory, including electrical safety, customer service, signalling and communications, before 14 weeks of on-the-job training onboard trains.

"Once the training is complete, these drivers will literally take front seat in witnessing the Transperth network's Metronet transformation, being among the first in the world to drive on the Forrestfield-Airport Link," Saffioti said.

"Other Metronet projects are tracking ahead at full steam, with the recent announcement of the route for the Morley-Ellenbrook line and confirmation that construction on the project will start in late 2019 with upgrades to Bayswater station."

[ozbob]

FIRST LOOK:#METRONET Railcars - The C-Series
👩‍🔧 Made in WA, by WA workers
🚈 Top speed: 130km/h
📏 Up to 150m long (six cars)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Max capacity: 1200 people
📋 41 sets ordered
🚪 More and wider doors
🌱 Reduced energy consumption
⚡️ USB ports

Rolling out from 2022. pic.twitter.com/JIcvV8CrWj

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) August 18, 2019

[ozbob]

Good on you WA.   If only here in banana-land .. 

[ozbob]

Only my Government will build METRONET.

Connecting our suburbs.

Creating thousands of jobs.

Bringing manufacturing back to WA. pic.twitter.com/zErcNnoOp9

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) August 18, 2019

[verbatim9]

FIRST LOOK:#METRONET Railcars - The C-Series
[emoji1866] Made in WA, by WA workers
[emoji584] Top speed: 130km/h
[emoji423] Up to 150m long (six cars)
[emoji1286] Max capacity: 1200 people
[emoji412] 41 sets ordered
[emoji376] More and wider doors
[emoji271] Reduced energy consumption
[emoji298]️ USB ports

Rolling out from 2022. pic.twitter.com/JIcvV8CrWj

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) August 18, 2019

^^Qld could order Alstom trains from the WA factory to top up the short fall of trains here in Qld.  Already set up for driver only, same gauge as Qld.  Just click and collect!  Bonus USB charging for commuters