The Victorian Government has announced two consortia have been shortlisted to deliver up to $1 billion worth of signalling and communications systems for Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel.
The shortlisted bidders for the Metro Tunnel Rail Systems Alliance (RSA) are:
- A consortium comprising CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation
- The MetroConnect consortium comprising John Holland, Siemens and UGL
The successful bidder will install high capacity signaling (HCS) on the new Sunbury-to-Pakenham line that will run through the Metro Tunnel.
It will be the first roll-out of HCS on an existing network anywhere in Australia.
“The world’s best have been shortlisted to deliver the biggest and most advanced signaling package in Victoria’s history,” Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.
“The successful bidder will install next generation signaling, which will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour.”
HCS will allow trains to safely run faster and closer together, meaning more trains and less travel time for passengers.
The advanced technology will mean up to 30 services an hour can be run with the potential to create the true ‘turn-up-and-go’ two-minute services available in some of the biggest cities in the world.
As part of the project, a world-leading Centre of Excellence will be established in Victoria, supporting local skills, jobs and opportunities in the growing rail signaling and communications industry.
“The Centre for Excellence will provide skills, jobs and opportunities to local workers in the growing rail signaling industry,” Ms Allan said.
The announcement of the shortlisted bidders comes less than a week after the Victorian Government announced the single largest order of new trains in Victoria’s history.
The 65 new high-capacity trains will be built in Victoria, by Victorians, and run as a dedicated fleet through the Metro Tunnel utilising the high capacity signaling technology.
Shortlisted bidders for the RSA will be asked to submit a formal proposal by early 2017, with a contract expected to be awarded later that year.
The Metro Tunnel is Australia’s largest and most important public transport project. It will free up space in the City Loop to run more trains, more often, right across the network.
