The Victorian Government is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the roll-out of advanced high capacity signalling for Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced the EOI’s for the Metro Tunnel Project Rail Systems Alliance.
The Alliance will design, develop and deliver up to $1billion worth of signalling, communications and other related systems on the Metro Tunnel, which will be fully funded by the Victorian Government.
The works on the Metro Tunnel will install high-capacity signalling on the Sunbury-Cranbourne/Pakenham line and new cross-city tunnel created by the project, meaning more services can run closer together.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said, “The Metro Tunnel’s advanced signalling will deliver more trains, more often, and help create 3,900 jobs. We’re not just talking about innovation, jobs and growth – we’re getting it done.”
Passenger safety will be improved with international-style platform screen doors built in the Metro Tunnel’s five new underground stations, enabled by the new signalling and dedicated fleet of next generation trains.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will also deliver the trial of high-capacity signalling on the network through the Rail Systems Alliance, building on work by Public Transport Victoria over the past year.
As part of this project, the technology will now be trialled using modern X’Trapolis trains on a section of the South Morang line, to enable a more seamless roll out on the Metro Tunnel and across the busiest lines on the network in the future.
Ms Allan said, “Next-generation signalling will be tested with the newest trains on the network, and rolled out ahead of the Metro Tunnel, so it’s ready for the new network we’re building.
“We’re fully funding the Metro Tunnel and 65 high-capacity trains so we can run trains in and out of the city and create a system where trains come so often you don’t need a timetable – you just turn up and go.”
