The Nationals in Government’s Regional Rail Fleet Project will open the door to new opportunities for local businesses and suppliers, as well as creating hundreds of jobs in regional communities.
NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said industry briefings for the project were held on Monday, May 27, led by Momentum Trains, with more than 120 registrations received.
“This is a great opportunity for our region with the new purpose-built maintenance facility to be built in Dubbo,” Mr Saunders said. “The Nationals in Government are building on our commitment to support our regions and will deliver a first-class rail fleet for passengers. These briefings provide the opportunity for attendees to meet and ask questions of the project team from Transport for NSW and Momentum Trains about the opportunities available to them to get involved.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the $2.8 billion project would include building the maintenance facility in Dubbo along with replacing the existing XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains.
“We want to support and boost our regional economies, so it makes sense to ensure this project is delivered and supported by our regional communities,” Mr Toole said. “The new fleet will be maintained in Dubbo and will see around 200 jobs created during the construction phase and 50 permanent jobs when it opens, including a number of apprenticeships and traineeships.”
Planning and design activities for the Regional Rail Fleet are progressing and investigations at the site of the maintenance facility in Dubbo are set to commence in the next few weeks.
