Article: Trains funding runs off the rails as state cuts $1billion tender

[Derwan]

From http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/trains-funding-runs-off-the-rails/story-e6freoof-1226177782176

Trains funding runs off the rails as state cuts $1billion tender

THE latest plan to build more trains for the city's busy network has hit trouble after the State Government apparently cut a $1 billion tender because it can't afford it.

In 2007, the Government admitted it had bought new trains that did not fit through Brisbane's busiest tunnels.

Opposition transport spokesman Scott Emerson yesterday said the contract had been slashed 25 per cent to 450 carriages from the 600 promised by the Government as recently as last Sunday.

"The Government had claimed the New Generation Rollingstock project would replace and expand the existing train fleet with 200 three-car passenger trains," Mr Emerson said.

"Instead, the Bligh Government has now told bidders that the contract will now only be for 75, six-car passenger trains, effectively slashing the order by a quarter."

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to give a straight answer when asked about the contract cut in State Parliament yesterday.

When contacted by The Courier-Mail, the minister's office said they were "looking into it".

Mr Emerson said the cut in train numbers came as commuters were facing fare rises of 15 per cent a year until 2014.

"Labor insists these fee hikes are used for investment in public transport infrastructure, but the cut to new train numbers shows they are trying to con commuters," he said.

"The truth is the extra money from the hikes in train, bus and ferry fares is going to pay the $100 million a week interest bill on the massive debt Labor has given Queensland."

The last major rollout of new passenger trains in 2007 was beset with problems when it discovered they had been built too big for Brisbane's tunnel network.

As a result, the tunnel between Fortitude Valley and Central stations had to be widened to allow the new trains to fit through at speed.

Late yesterday, the Transport Minister said the Government had been rolling out 64 new three-carriage trains over the past 64 months.

"There is no reduction in the required future rollingstock, which is 200," said Ms Palaszczuk.

[ozbob]

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