Progress on new regional rail fleet

Delivery of a new fleet of regional trains, set to service major centres including Narrabri, has marked a significant milestone.

The state government announced nine new trains had arrived. Two have started running on sections as testing ramps up.

The Spanish-built rail fleet will replace the ageing XPT, Xplorer and Endeavour units.

NSW Trains operates the Xplorer fleet on the service from Moree to Sydney Central.

The massive regional rail fleet overhaul has been a point of controversy, now more than three years late and well over budget.

Concept image of premium seating.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the new fleet should have been running by now, however, the former government’s offshore private model stalled delivery, delayed the project and left taxpayers with a massive bill.

“For three years we have gone project by project fixing the mess we inherited, and regional rail is no exception,” she said.

“The Auditor-General exposed the cost of their approach: a combined $2.5 billion blow out in the cost of purchasing intercity and regional trains and years of delays.

“We have done the hard work to fix the project – dismantling the failed PPP, consulting with workforce and experts and restoring accountability.

“People can now see the distinctive orange fleet on the tracks across NSW.

“That visible progress is the result of steady, practical work to get this project back on track.”

Ms Aitchison said the delay the Minns government inherited meant they also had to invest $40.3 million to extend the life of the ageing XPT fleet to keep services safe and reliable.

“We will always make sure regional passengers have safe, reliable and high-quality transport,” she said.

“We are rebuilding confidence in regional rail and delivering the fleet regional NSW deserves.”

The new fleet (concept image below) will feature digital screens, enclosed overhead luggage storage, charging points at each seat, modern air conditioning and heating, accessible toilets and baby change facilities, and retractable external steps to assist passengers board and alight trains. The 29-train fleet will include 117 carriages forming 10 regional intercity, nine short regional and 10 long regional trains.

A service commencement timeline will be confirmed once testing is complete and safety accreditation is granted by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.