Intercity trains: Andrew Constance announces new trains, mobile charging stations and wider seats

Commuters on the next $2.3b generation of Intercity trains will enjoy wider seats and be able to charge up their phones but the NSW Premier has been accused of throwing away 600 job opportunities.

THE next generation of Intercity trains is expected to be pulling into stations in three years’ time ushering a new era of long distance travel for commuters but critics have slammed the State Government for sending jobs overseas.

The $2.3 billion contract to build 500 new off the shelf double deck carriages was awarded to RailConnect, which is a joint venture between the Hyundai Rotem Company, Mitsubishi Electric Australia and UGL Rail and will see the new trains built in Korea with thousands of jobs lost overseas.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union condemned the failure to include any local content requirements in the tender and said the Baird Government had made a deliberate decision to send jobs overseas.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance made the announcement today. Picture: Richard Dobson

“This decision is a betrayal. This is money that should have been invested in Australian workers and Australian communities. Instead, we are deliberately sending manufacturing jobs offshore,” AMWU NSW Secretary Tim Ayres said.

“We will be seeking critical talks with the government to prevent the collapse of the rail manufacturing industry.

“The Hunter Valley has the highest youth unemployment rate in the state, but instead of investing in apprenticeships for young people he is sending taxpayer money overseas.

“These are trains that are paid for by the sale of state assets, but none of this investment will go to the communities who need it.”

However, the new trains will deliver customers the modern features including charging stations for mobile devices on each seat and the old seating configuration will be scrapped with two by two seating now to be standard along with more dedicated space for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs.

The new intercity train designed for comfort for the commuters.

The new trains will have charging stations for mobile phones on each seat with two by two seating on the upper and lower levels of the train.

Inside the new design of the trains.

The seats will be wider; there will be new accessible toilets and updated digital screens and announcements.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the winning tender was 25 per cent cheaper than any other bid and included the construction of a new maintenance facility would at Kangy Angy on the Central Coast to service and maintain the new fleet.

“There is an Australian partner in this consortium in UGL and they will be supplying 15 years of maintenance and support for the new rolling stock,” Mr Constance said.

“This is great news because we will see Australian jobs as part of the consortium and at the same time we are going to have the expertise brought us here in Australia with this type of train which will deliver incredible services.”

“It will exceed more than 200 jobs with the more than 15 years of maintenance with the rolling stock.”

Hyundai Rotem will be building the new trains in Korea and the traction technology and train operation will be provided by Mitsubishi Electric Australia which will feature modern CCTV surveillance technology, help points and digital screens and announcements to ensure a safe and secure journey.

The seats are wider with fabric-covered seats with arm rests and more space as well as cup holders and tray tables.

Commuters have called for trains to be upgraded as Mr Constance sits in one of the old trains. Picture: Richard Dobson

Labor opposition leader Luke Foley speaking in Wollongong said Premier Mike Baird had thrown away 600 job opportunities when other states like Victoria were ensuring major projects delivered jobs for our communities.

“The decision of the Baird Government to issue a new contract for building an intercity train fleet with all the work going offshore is crushing blow to local manufacturing and local jobs,” Mr Foley said.

“In Victoria there is a minimum 50 per cent local requirement for rolling stock orders but here in NSW there is nothing because the Baird Government is completely disinterested in supporting local manufacturing and local jobs.

“Here in the Illawarra we had a tenderer Stadler prepared to deliver 600 jobs here at Unanderra here where there is 15.7 per cent unemployment.”

Mr Constance in what can only be described as ‘run-down’ trains. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Constance said the winning tender offered the best value for many and meant jobs would remain on the Central Cost for the long term as he promised the new trains would deliver comfort for passengers travelling from Newcastle, the Central Coast, South Coast and the Blue Mountains.

“We want to encourage people out of cars and that’s why we want these trains to offer the next level of comfort and convenience for those commuting a long way,” Mr Constance said.

The first train is expected to be delivered in 2019 with the entire intercity fleet to be rolled out over the following three years.