THE Queensland state government has kept a pre-election promise to support local train manufacturing by allocating $A 600m ($US 446.2m) in the state budget towards its Rolling Stock Expansion project – a $A 1bn, 10-year commitment to manufacturing rolling stock in the regional center of Maryborough.
The funding will go towards the manufacture of 20 new trains and the infrastructure wanted to build them. Another $A 1m shall be used to develop a business case to switch coaches used on the Westlander, Inland, and Spirit of the Outback providers. The federal government will even think about a choice to construct one other 45 trains to meet demand.
The funds additionally allocate $A 255m to enhance accessibility for passengers with limited mobility on new Bombardier New Era Rolling Inventory (NGR) EMUs, in addition to an upgrade to ETCS Level 2.
To assist revitalize rail manufacturing in Rockhampton, the funds additionally offers funding to safe land for rail upkeep, manufacturing, and logistics heart that might help native suppliers manufacturing elements for Queensland-built trains.
Different initiatives included within the funds are:
- an extra $A 1.5bn for Cross River Rail in 2020-21, with $A 3.2bn allotted in future
- Stage Three of the Gold Coast Gentle Rail, which is able to obtain $A 709.9m, and
- $A 550.8m in direction of Stage 1 of the North Coast Line Beerburrum – Nambour rail improve, with one other $A 150m to upgrade stations.
