Future Fleet Program

Reviewed

The NSW Government has committed to commencing procurement of the replacement of the Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains within this term of government, with a 50% local content target to ensure Australian and NSW-based businesses and jobs are engaged in designing, building, and maintaining the fleet.

The replacement fleet will be the first in a long-term pipeline of locally built trains that extends out to the 2050s.

Transport for NSW train travelling past station.

Program overview

NSW has a long and proud history of rail manufacturing stretching back over a hundred years. 

The NSW Government, through the Future Fleet Program, is committed to revitalising domestic rail manufacturing and is encouraging industry to be part of an exciting future for the NSW and Australian rail manufacturing industry.

Beyond Tangara, the Millenium and Oscar fleets will need replacing by the 2040s and the Waratahs in the 2050s. 

Through the long-term fleet pipeline, the NSW Government wants to leave a strong community legacy of secure and skilled rail manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships in a revitalised NSW and Australian rail manufacturing industry.

Indicative long-term suburban fleet replacement pipeline

L-R: 2030s - Tangara, 445 cars | 2040s - Millenium, 140 cars | 2040s - Oscar, 221 cars | 2050s - Waratah A, 624 cars | 2050s - Waratah B Series 2, 328 cars

Program benefits

Boost domestic train industry

Utilise fleet procurement to develop the local manufacturing sector, creating new jobs and skills to create opportunities for the economy.

Enhance passenger network customer outcomes

Improve service quality, reliability and resilience across the network to meet customer expectations.

Improve fleet operational flexibility and efficiency

Increase standardisation by reducing fleet type variance via implementation of a standard approach for NSW train design, procurement and delivery.

Optimise network infrastructure alignment

Implement more optimised locations of network infrastructure, including crew bases and facilities for fleet stabling and maintenance to support more efficient operations.

Enhance safety and accessibility

Ensure future fleet types achieve maximum feasible compliance with standards including the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and ensure the Waterfall inquiry recommendations are addressed.

Program status

The NSW Government has committed $87.7 million in the 2025-26 Budget to the development of a Full Business Case for the Future Fleet Program and the start of the long-lead procurement activities, including design and planning, to build the first double deck suburban passenger train replacements right here. The NSW Government set aside $17.5 million in the 2024-25 Budget to develop a Preliminary Business Case for the Future Fleet Program. That investment enabled Transport to hear what was important to industry, unions and government partners in revitalising local rail manufacturing in NSW, learn from the experiences of other states, and consider options to achieve the government’s local content targets.

During 2024-25 the NSW Government started a comprehensive market analysis and engagement campaign with manufacturers and suppliers to gather insights, identify key considerations, and help it shape the direction of further engagement for the Future Fleet Program. This industry engagement will continue through 2025-26.

View and/or submit an expression of interest for program-related work packages: ICN Gateway.

Next steps

Stakeholders can expect the following activities as the Future Fleet Program works towards delivering the next generation of suburban passenger trains for NSW in partnership with local industry.

2025

  • opportunity for industry and suppliers to inform the Future Fleet Program’s development via a series of industry, supplier and community events. 
  • initial indication of the order volume for the new suburban passenger train replacements
  • design engagement with industry for NSW's next generation of double deck suburban passenger trains.

2026 

  • subject to future NSW Government investment decision, starting procurement of first orders of the suburban passenger trains.

2027-28

  • award of the contract for first orders for next generation of passenger trains and supporting infrastructure.

What this means for passengers

Passengers can expect to see the first new locally made trains in use across Sydney’s suburban network in the early 2030s. Passengers will enjoy the benefits of: 

  • new technology to improve the train environment, accessibility and reliability 
  • carriage designs that meet the needs of different passengers and allow them to move more easily
  • a modern fleet that is accessible and safe for all passengers, including those with different abilities.

More information

Email:  futurefleetprog@transport.nsw.gov.au

If you are a supplier:

 

 

 

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