New carriages for Central Coast

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Mr Kevin Moss, has announced the selected tenderer for the design and construction of 41 outer suburban carriages to serve the Central Coast.

"I am happy to announce A. Goninan and Co. Ltd., trading as United Goninan, is the selected tenderer," Mr Moss said at Woy Woy station.

Mr Moss was joined by Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews who said the outer suburban carriages were now set to be a world-class train with a focus on customer comfort, safety and reliability.

"About 20 carriages will service the Central Coast line on a regular basis.

"That's an additional 3000 seats for Central Coast commuters," Ms Andrews said.

Mr Moss said the State Government was entering negotiations before the contract would be awarded.

"Thecontract allows for further options of 81 cars in the second stage and 40 cars in the third stage," Mr Moss said.

"The best news is that the 41 carriages will service the Central Coast, South Coast and lower Blue Mountains lines.

"They will run in addition to the current fleet of outer suburban Tangara trains," Mr Moss said.

The new outer suburban carriages would have 52 more seats per eight-car train than outer suburban Tangara trains.

There would be one toilet for every four carriages.

Selective door controls would ensure doors could be opened to suit a platform's length.

Help points would be provided and closed circuit television cameras would be installed in the trains.

Hearing loops would be fitted to serve those with suitable hearing aids.

"The State Government is pleased to continue the strong working relationship it has with United Goninan and looks forward to seeing these new state-ofthe-art trains on the system," Mr Moss said.

"Only two weeks ago, it was announced the Broadmeadow-based company won the contract to construct 14 purpose-built rail carriages for Hunter Valley commuters."

The outer suburban carriages are expected to be in service in late 2006.

Press release, December 18