Efforts to tackle commuter chaos caused by defective trains in New South Wales (NSW) are underway as the state government embarks on a maintenance blitz to revamp its faulty fleet.
Train faults have surged by 28 percent over the past year, leading to 2,445 delays and 595 service cancellations, according to officials.
The state’s largest co-ordinated maintenance program was launched on June 28, with the primary goal of addressing 2,037 defects as part of a $35 million (US$23.4 million) project.
All 11 models of trains are set to undergo upgrades, with 1,622 carriages scheduled for cleaning and painting.
Premier Chris Minns emphasized that this investment goes beyond cosmetic enhancements and aims to reduce service disruptions caused by faulty equipment.
In addition to this maintenance initiative, the government has allocated $447 million (US$299 million) to extend the lifespan of Tangara trains while working on a locally built replacement model.
A fleet of South Korean-built Mariyung intercity trains is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, enabling the retirement of 50-year-old “V-sets.”
Mr. Minns stated, “This is not a waste of money, this is money well spent to make sure that the train that you need on a Monday morning is there when you need it.”
The $35 million expenditure will result in upgrades for carriages equivalent to 372 full trains, covering components such as doors, brakes, windows, air-conditioning systems, CCTV cameras, as well as technological and communications systems.
Nev Nicholls, overseeing engineering and maintenance for Sydney Trains, mentioned that approximately 800 workers will be deployed across seven locations on a 24/7 basis to carry out repairs.
The new Mariyung trains will operate on routes from Sydney to Newcastle, the Blue Mountains, and the south coast, following delays due to union safety concerns.
A previous year-long program focused on enhancing rail infrastructure resulted in a 35 percent reduction in the time spent addressing related delays, showcasing the success of similar initiatives.
