Metronet’s new C series trains have just had their first test run today. With official operations starting tomorrow on the Joondalup / Mandurah lines. The new 143-metre train is fitted out with close to 400 seats and is capable of carrying more than 1,000 passengers. It even has USB charging built in now! A huge help for those late journeys home on low battery. A big step forward for local WA manufacturing because this train was built right here!
The 246 rail cars are going to be part of a new local manufacturing industry according to the Cook government. This is significant because it will be the first time in 30 years since the Liberal Court government shut down local train manufacture. This was an election commitment for WA Labor when it came to office in 2017.
The railcars are going to be manufactured in Bellevue and already ~150 workers have jobs in the industry. These jobs are a part of a ten-year contract with local industry. Premier Cook’s has committed to supporting local manufacturing long-term.
“Local rail manufacturing is back in WA, and under my Labor Government, it’s here to stay.
“Through METRONET, we’re already expanding our rail network and transforming our suburbs, and now we’ve delivered locally-built railcars.
“We’re not stopping here, with hundreds of ‘Made in WA’ METRONET railcars set to roll out onto the network over the coming decade – creating long-term local manufacturing jobs for WA.”
Roger Cook: First locally-made METRONET train makes maiden journey | Western Australian Government (www.wa.gov.au)
Joining the Premier and Transport Minister on the inaugural first journey was the State Secretary of the AMWU and the RTBU. The renewal of local rail car manufacturing has been campaigned for by the AMWU WA. A campaign which evidently has been successful. New trains being built by local union workers, driven by union drivers. The future looks bright for WA rail.
