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Question and Answer Tracking Details

136 - Regional Transport and Roads - REGIONAL TRAINS

Farraway, Sam to the Special Minister of State, Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism representing the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

Mr President, there is an emergency and the Government will not deal with it. My question is directed to the Minister for Roads, representing the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads. What is the projected date that the first of the new regional trains, which are currently sitting at the Dubbo maintenance facility, will be ready for testing on the network?
Original Answer -

The Hon. JOHN GRAHAM (Special Minister of State, Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism) (11:22:37): I thank the member for the question and for his interest in regional transport and in the train network. I particularly thank him, though, for his interest in the Central West of this State. His interest in the Central West of this State has been noted by those opposite.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I make a serious point: Hansard does need to hear what is happening and it will be more difficult for them through this. I ask everybody to show due consideration. The Minister has the call.

The Hon. JOHN GRAHAM: I was simply thanking the member for his interest in the Central West of the State. It has been noted by those opposite. I do not have the specific date with me, but I am very happy to take that on notice and obtain an answer from the Minister.
Additional Answer -

I am advised

The new Regional Rail fleet consists of 29 new trains, including 117 carriages, forming 10 regional intercity, nine short regional and 10 long regional trains. The first train arrived at Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo in February 2024.

Major work to build the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre has been completed, with some work continuing, including installation of key equipment, building fit-out and landscaping.

Some rail infrastructure will need to be upgraded to accommodate the new fleet and to improve customer experience. Planning and investigations are underway to determine the final scope of work for the Rail Infrastructure Upgrades project.

Momentum Trains is preparing for completion works on the first train and going through the assurance phase prior to commencement of testing at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre. Static testing will be undertaken within the maintenance centre and successful completion of the static testing will inform the timing of dynamic testing to be undertaken on the NSW rail network.

A timeline for train entry into service will be confirmed once they have progressed through testing and the relevant verifications on the NSW and Australian rail networks.

Question asked on 20 March 2024 (session 58-1)
Answer received on 12 April 2024

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.