New METRONET railcar proposal will mean more trains, more often
09 July 2019
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Business case for METRONET Automatic Train Control project submitted to Infrastructure Australia
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Long-term investment to allow more trains to run more often
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Meets Infrastructure Australia recommendation to invest in existing infrastructure
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Key part of delivering METRONET and meeting Perth's future growth needs
The McGowan Government's plans to replace
Perth's
ageing train signalling network with a high-tech automatic digital
version, enabling more frequent services for
METRONET, have been
submitted to
Infrastructure Australia.
The METRONET
Automatic Train Control (ATC)
business case that has now
been sent to Infrastructure Australia is a key step in the McGowan
Government's continued push to leverage more Federal funding for local
infrastructure projects.
The State Government is continuing to invest in
Western Australia's rail
network to meet future demand, and ATC is an important part of making
the most of Perth's existing and future rail infrastructure.
ATC will revolutionise the way the
rail network operates, gradually
replacing the ageing signalling network with a modern state-of-the-art
digital version.
The new system will enable more trains to travel more frequently on the
rail network and reduce the number of signals and other trackside
equipment needed - increasing system reliability and reducing field
maintenance requirements.
In September 2017, the McGowan Government committed $7.4 million over
two years to plan for the new signalling system for use on the
Transperth network.
ATC will be particularly important as METRONET projects are built and
with patronage on the Transperth network forecast to double by 2031.
The long-term project meets the national independent assessment body's
recommendations to invest in existing infrastructure through smarter
operations which maximise capacity.
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The McGowan Government continues to press the case for more Federal
funding for WA infrastructure projects, and putting our plans to
Infrastructure Australia is a key part of that.
"METRONET is about thinking beyond the immediate future and anticipating
what Perth's future transport needs will be.
"Part of this will be making sure our existing network is modernised and
continues to deliver what commuters need.
"Automatic Train Control is an exciting project that allows for future
capacity growth and will give passengers more frequent, reliable, safe
and punctual train operations."
--ENDS--
Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Minister's office - 6552 5500
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