Sydney Metro

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Tunnelling starts on North-West Rail Link

[ozbob]

Twitter

Jake Saulwick ‏@JakeSaulwick

Premier and Transport Min w contractors signing $3.7b deal to run north-west rail. Trains to run every 4min in peak

[#Metro]

What's the off peak frequency like?

[ozbob]

4 minutes ... < hit that man! 

[#Metro]

Just visited the project website... high frequency because they are getting rid of the guards AND the driver.

"That means the trains can be driverless and will be driverless, but it also means that we have the capacity to run more frequent trains in the future," she said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-06/trains-on-new-sydney-line-to-be-driverless/4738702

Single deck trains
Trains on the North West Rail Link will be new, modern automated rapid transit single deck trains

http://nwrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/The-Project/Project-Overview

None of these, however, are the real reason to consider driverless metros.  The real reason is that they break the connection between frequency and labor costs.

http://www.humantransit.org/2010/02/driverless-rapid-transit-why-it-matters.html


Rail on SE Busway NOT a crazy idea.

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/sydneys-new-train-unveiled-37-billion-north-west-rail-link-operations-contract-signed

Sydney's new train unveiled as $3.7 billion North West Rail Link operations contract signed

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced Sydney's brand new rapid transit trains will run every four minutes during the peak on the North West Rail Link as part of a $3.7 billion contract just signed by the NSW Government.

Mr Baird said the North West Rail Link will take customer service and safety to a whole new level – bringing a world-class rapid transit rail service to Australia for the first time.

"Services on the North West Rail Link will start in the first half of 2019 with 15 trains an hour during the peak and 98 per cent on-time running – a much higher level of customer service than we first expected and an outstanding outcome for customers," Mr Baird said.

"The NSW Government promised 12 trains an hour but we'll be able to start with 15 trains an hour in the peak – with significant room to grow as the North West's population increases over coming decades."

The North West Rail Link will be Australia's first fully-automated rapid transit rail network, delivering eight new railway stations, 4,000 commuter car parking spaces and five existing railway stations upgraded to rapid transit status.

The Public Private Partnership is the largest ever awarded in NSW and will see the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium deliver the North West Rail Link by the first half of 2019 and operate it for 15 years.

Ms Berejiklian said the contract just signed means Sydney's new trains will be built by international train supplier Alstom who make rapid transit trains operating around the world in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Milan and Amsterdam.

"This project will transform and modernise public transport in Sydney forever. With tunnelling now underway and a contract signed to operate the rail network – the NSW Government is well and truly delivering," she said.

"The country's first new fully-automated rapid transit trains are being designed to meet the needs of Sydney.

"Our customers tell us that frequency of services is one of the most important factors when travelling on public transport – on the North West Rail Link, you won't need a timetable, you'll just turn up and go.

"At the start of operations, the North West Rail Link will use six-carriage trains, however more carriages and trains can be added as demand increases, with the platforms to be built long enough for eight-carriage trains.

"We're working to fine-tune the seating configuration, but there will be plenty of seats as well as brand new innovations like multi-purpose areas for prams and luggage.

"There will also be customer service assistants at every station and they'll also be moving through the network during the day and night.

"If we receive a mandate next March, the Rapid Transit network will be extended through the CBD and west to Bankstown, giving public transport customers right across Sydney access to fast, reliable and modern turn-up-and-go services."

The Northwest Rapid Transit consortium is made up of MTR Corporation (Australia), John Holland, Leighton Contractors, UGL Rail Services and Plenary Group


http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/media/kellyville-platform.jpg

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Epping to Chatswood rail to be shut for months for north-west rail link

[SurfRail]

Considering the fairly pathetic existing timetable for the ECRL I don't see how buses wouldn't cope.

[SurfRail]

^ All you really need is to upgrade the existing buses between Macquarie and Chatswood for a bit and to run upper Northern line trains through Strathfield again.  Seeing that is likely to be the new operating arrangement for the Northern line anyway it should be easy enough to implement.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Hundreds of buses to replace Epping to Chatswood rail line for seven months

[ozbob]

Hills News --> North West Rail Link splits politicians

[ozbob]

The Telegraph --> 'Mumbai Express' is a standing joke: number of seats on Sydney's North West Rail Link could be drastically cut

[Gazza]

Why do they keep saying that passengers will stand the whole 37km? Are they saying that pax will get on at Cudgeong Rd and take every seat then, leaving no more for pax down the line?

Righto.

[pandmaster]

The parking at the stations is a joke. I would love for people to use feeder buses, but a lot of people will just drive to the city anyway if they know they can not get a park because they either can not or will not get a bus. I have not looked extensively at the plans but I have looked at Cherrybrook as I will be using it in the future to visit family in the area. One of the carparks there will be purely on ground level and the other 2-3 storeys. That will not cut it for the large catchment area, though maybe the government do not want too many extra people using it due to capacity constraints, particularly at Chatswood.

A family friend used to be an MP in the area and he was pushing for the NWRL to be extended to the Richmond line. I had a look on a map and it is a really short distance. The Richmond line has terrible service at the moment and if a few services from the NWRL (say 3-4 an hour) were extended there it would make a huge difference to people out there and also allow further development. They probably could not have the single deckers and do that though as the trains under the current plan will be bursting at the seams. It is a shame it will probably never happen. I will be interested to see how many people drive to Cudgegong Road instead of using the Richmond Line.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Adrian Bull ‏@Bullatworld

Great progress on North West Rail Link at Showground site #NW

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/three-north-west-rail-link-tunnel-boring-machines-now-digging

Three North West Rail Link tunnel boring machines now digging

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced three of the North West Rail Link's massive tunnel boring machines are now in the ground and tunnelling, as work continues on Australia's biggest public transport project.

The Minister joined local MPs at Cherrybrook to launch tunnel boring machine Isabelle. A second machine, Florence, got underway at Bella Vista last week, joining the first machine, Elizabeth which has already dug more than 600 metres.

Ms Berejiklian said it is now full steam ahead on the North West Rail Link which is set to open to customers in the first half of 2019.

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals came to government promising the first of the four massive North West Rail Link tunnel boring machines would be in the ground before the end of 2014 – now we have three machines underground digging, well ahead of schedule," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Labor spent 16 years talking about this project, cancelling and announcing it countless times. This Government has done the hard work of planning and designing the rail line and now we're getting on with the job of delivering.

"This is another major milestone as we get on with the job of building the North West Rail Link, which is the first stage of Sydney Rapid Transit, the city's brand new modern railway network.

"The North West Rail Link is the first transport infrastructure project in Australian history to use four tunnel boring machines at once – that's a great example of the sheer size of this world-scale infrastructure project."

The first two tunnel boring machines are digging 9 kilometres from Bella Vista to Cherrybrook and the second two will travel 6 kilometres from Cherrybrook to Epping, delivering the twin 15 kilometre North West Rail Link tunnels.

The four mega tunnelling machines are supporting 900 new jobs as part of the $1.15 billion tunnelling contract, which was awarded in June last year.

The North West Rail Link will include:

    Australia's first new fully-automated rapid transit trains;
    A train every four minutes in the peak, or 15 an hour, with 98 per cent reliability;
    Eight new railway stations – two more than originally planned;
    4,000 commuter car parks and;
    Five existing stations upgraded to rapid transit standards.

Ms Berejiklian said she was also pleased to release new designs for Cherrybrook Station, which will be delivered as part of the $3.7 billion North West Rail Link operations contract signed in September.

"Cherrybrook Station will include state-of-the-art platform screen doors, lifts for customers, a new bus interchange and 400 commuter car parking spaces," she said.

"The station's landmark arching roof canopy design was inspired by the local Blue Gum High Forest, making it a station truly set in the forest and engineered to get people in and out as quickly and comfortably as possible.

"Rapid transit will transform the way of life for people in the North West and it's fantastic that residents are able to see the features and designs of their local stations taking shape.

"The NSW Government has made it clear that if we receive a mandate next March, the Rapid Transit network will be fast-tracked through the CBD and west to Bankstown, giving public transport customers right across Sydney access to fast, reliable and modern turn-up-and-go services.

"Sydney Rapid Transit will reduce crowding right across the network – unblocking major bottlenecks in the city and allowing up to 60 per cent more trains every hour across the train network."

FACTS – TUNNEL BORING MACHINES

    Tunnel boring machine Elizabeth started digging at Bella Vista in early September and has travelled more than 600 metres on its way to Norwest Station.
    Tunnel boring machine Florence started digging at Bella Vista late last week.
    Tunnel boring machine Florence started tunnelling today at Cherrybrook.
    A fourth tunnel boring machine will join Isabelle at Cherrybrook and start digging to Epping Station.
    To get down to tunnelling depth at Bella Vista, about 120,000 tonnes of rock was removed from the Bella Vista station 'box', and most of it re-used on the wider construction site.
    At the Cherrybrook tunnelling site, 75,000 tonnes of rock was dug out to get to the tunnelling depth of 16 metres.
    On major tunnelling projects around the world, underground workers look to Saint Barbara for protection and, because of that, machines that work underground are traditionally given female names.
    The first tunnel boring machine was named after local colonial pioneer Elizabeth Rouse by local school students, tunnel boring machine 2 was named after Australia's first female engineer Florence Mary Taylor by the community and the third tunnel boring machine was named Isabelle by the tunnel builders, to represent the workers.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> North West rail link: tunnel burrows through to Norwest station

[pandmaster]

One of the issues we in Australia with government contracts is the lack of coordination. Work crews and equipment should move around from project to project without having gaps between contracts and increasing the cost of labour and equipment by sourcing it again. Most likely these TBMs will go back to Japan, Germany or wherever they are from after construction has finished and soon after that TBMs will be needed for another project in Australia. The experienced workers will probably move on to other jobs and not be available for the next project. Governments need to be more efficient and plan ahead with things like this (perhaps even Canberra could buy some TBMs to lease to states). The TBMs and workers from the NWRL should be redeployed after the tunnelling is done to the Second  Harbour Crossing to avoid these expenses. The same should have been done with Legacy Way/AirportLink/CLEM7/CRR/BaT in Brisbane. The same should have been done with the Gold Coast Light Rail. The same should have been done with the Springfield Line. Australia would be able to build submarines competitively if the ASC had a constant stream of contracts. It is time for politicians to look at the long term and big picture to more efficiently use resources for public projects.

[Gazza]

Someone on Skyscraper city gave a pretty good explanation about the implementation of TBMs in tunneling.
They are very job specific, and the manufacturer has buyback factored into the price when selling it.
They're also designed to only really last as long as the job, and some parts such as the main drive get switched out anyway.
So the utility of buying one to have around is pretty limited.

[red dragin]

Someone on Skyscraper city gave a pretty good explanation about the implementation of TBMs in tunneling.
They are very job specific, and the manufacturer has buyback factored into the price when selling it.
They're also designed to only really last as long as the job, and some parts such as the main drive get switched out anyway.
So the utility of buying one to have around is pretty limited.

Which is why it's sometimes cheaper to bury the front section rather than construct a new access shaft to get it out. What's left isn't in use able condition.

Apparently some parts of the Clem7 machines made it onto the Legacy Way TBM's as they where partly reconditioned models to cut costs

[ozbob]

Twitter

Transport for NSW ‏@TransportforNSW 19 minutes ago

The design for the North West Rail Link's Norwest Station has been released http://ow.ly/JUauj 

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Epping to Chatswood rail disruption to last about a year

[ozbob]

Twitter

Aust Railway Assoc ‏@AustRail 10m

Elizabeth has broken through into the new Showground Station site for the #NorthWestRailLink project http://tinyurl.com/q9dsj6p

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> North West Rail Link: Costs blow out on Sydney's biggest public transport project

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Transport minister Andrew Constance says new Sydney Metro train line a 'massive city shaping project'

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney trains: New line sparks hopes for more inner city stations

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> NSW budget 2015: Barangaroo station to be announced by Baird government

[pandmaster]

Will Mr. Packer cough up for this Barangaroo station?

There really should be light rail paid for by the developers opening with the rest of the project.

[SurfRail]

One of the options mooted over the years was a line up Sussex Street and Hickson Rd, past the Barangaroo precinct and Walsh Bay, through The Rocks and finishing up at Circular Quay.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Transport for NSW ‏@TransportforNSW 3m

New underground railway station at Barangaroo as part of Sydney Metro http://ow.ly/OF3zl 

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-underground-railway-station-barangaroo-part-sydney-metro

New underground railway station at Barangaroo as part of Sydney Metro

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced a new underground railway station at Barangaroo will be part of the plans for the new Sydney Metro – Australia's biggest public transport project.

The NSW Budget 2015-16 includes $84 million to continue planning and development for the second harbour rail crossing as part of Sydney Metro.

"The dramatic urban renewal occurring on the western edge of the CBD is Sydney's own Canary Wharf – it's crucial to the State's economic future," Mr Baird said.

"The addition of a Sydney Metro station is a game-changer for Barangaroo and the tens of thousands of people who will work there every day."

Delivering Sydney Metro to Barangaroo will mean:

    Eased congestion at Wynyard and Martin Place stations, reducing crowding at these stations by about 5,000 people in the morning peak alone;

    A new east-west connection across the CBD, connecting the new financial hub at Barangaroo with the existing financial centre at Martin Place; and

    Easy access to new ferry services from the proposed Barangaroo Wharf.

The station will also service the Walsh Bay arts precinct, King Street Wharf and Barangaroo headland park, estimated to attract 10,000 visitors each day.

"Sydney Metro will take Barangaroo to the next level as Australia's new commercial centre," Mr Constance said.

"This is a common-sense decision to combine our new world-class metro rail system with our new world class business hub. The new Barangaroo railway station will support an $8 billion economic catchment within a 10 minute walk of the station."

The new station, expected to be located at Central Barangaroo, will be factored into the Sydney Metro business case, community and industry consultation and the planning process for the project.

To incorporate the new underground station, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority will commence a new tender process for the development of Central Barangaroo.

A working group will be formed - including the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Transport for NSW, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority and Treasury - to consider issues such as station location, design and configuration, aligning the timing of Sydney Metro and Central Barangaroo construction and the optimal scale of Central Barangaroo in light of the increased transport capacity.

23 June 2015

[ozbob]

Sydney Metro Northwest project >> http://nwrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/The-Project/Project-Overview

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Skytrain's the limit as Sydney's north-west hosts new rail line

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> First section of Northwest skytrain complete

[ozbob]

Elizabeth, the tunnel boring machine, arrives at the Sydney Metro Castle Hill station site http://t.co/dFx6ZzFKKY pic.twitter.com/dRTykCKtc9

— Transport for NSW (@TransportforNSW) September 9, 2015

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/tunnelling-future-australian-firsts-sydney-metro-north-west

Tunnelling to the future: Australian Firsts on Sydney Metro North West

NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced tunnelling on the $8.3 billion Sydney Metro Northwest has passed the 70 per cent mark with 22km of tunnelling now complete.

Mr Constance congratulated tunnel builders Thiess John Holland Dragados for setting a new standard in tunnelling, including Australian-first innovations like a $1.2 million tunnel simulation centre and state-of-the-art 3D goggle technology to train a new generation of tunnellers.

"In just one year, 22km of the 30km tunnelling task has been completed – an outstanding result by our tunnel builders and their four mega tunnel boring machines deep under Sydney's North West," Mr Constance said.

"Tunnelling is a highly specialised skill and we're nurturing it for the future – I congratulate the tunnel builders on Sydney Metro Northwest for investing in their workforce for the future."

More than 420 tunnellers have graduated from Australia's first Tunnel Simulation and Training Centre at Sydney Metro Northwest's Showground Station site.

Unique features of the centre include a life-size replica of a Sydney Metro tunnel as well as 3D virtual reality goggles which provide a real-life perspective from within a tunnel boring machine.

"This investment is helping create the next generation of skilled tunnellers," TJHD project director Terry Sleiman said.

"The joint venture companies take their responsibility very seriously to develop a highly skilled and competent tunnelling workforce for not just this job, but future projects. There's a lot of work on the horizon and this investment in training will actively support the NSW Government's infrastructure program."

More than 100km of new tunnels are planned for Sydney over the coming years.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Metro rail project: new harbour tunnel unearths secrets of Sydney Harbour

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/hello-sydney-first-look-inside-our-new-metro-train

Hello, Sydney! First look inside our new metro train

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today unveiled the first glimpse of Sydney's new metro train, with a life-size train model delivered for customer testing on Sydney Metro Northwest.

The 13-tonne life-size train model has been delivered to the Showground Station site and is a full-scale version of approximately 75 per cent of the front carriage – including the distinctive nose section where customers will be able to travel while looking directly out the front of the fully automated train.

"This is a pretty exciting glimpse of tomorrow's Sydney," Mr Constance said.

A key feature of Sydney's new metro train is the two multi-purpose areas per train for prams, luggage and bicycles as well as wheelchair spaces and separate priority seating for those with reduced mobility.
Inside, customers will be able to see from one end of the train to the other and it will have padded fabric covers on the seating – unlike many metros, which have hard plastic or stainless steel seats.

The trains work hand-in-hand with the Australian-first platform screen door technology being introduced on Sydney Metro, which keeps people and objects away from tracks and allows trains to get in and out of stations much faster.

Mr Constance said the life-size train model will be tested over coming weeks with a range of people including school groups, parents with prams, the less mobile as well as emergency services and engineers.

"We'll take the feedback from future customers on board before the new trains go into full production next year – they'll be able to have their say on internal features like seating, safety, customer information, lighting, the grab poles and hand grips as well as well as how easy it is to move through the carriage and use the multi-purpose areas."

The community will also be able to give their feedback online on the final colour choice for the train, including its distinctive front nose section. More details at: http://nwrail.transport.nsw.gov.au

Following customer testing, the life-size train model will go on public display so the public has the chance to get a closer look at Sydney's new train.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Plans for $1.5b 'knowledge hub' above proposed train station at Sydney University

[SurfRail]

They have to get it routed that way first.

The Waterloo one will be more of an origin station but it's in a very, very heavily populated area which the Green Square station on the Airport line doesn't serve well.