Auckland’s rail electrification right on track

International rail rolling stock manufacturers and suppliers from across the world have responded strongly to a call for Expressions of Interest in response to the release of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) Expression of Interest (EOI) document which was advertised on 23 December 2008 and closed on 12 February this year, ARTA’s Chief Executive, Fergus Gammie said today.

In December last year, the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) made an historic decision for the region to approve ARTA taking a major step forward towards the purchase of a new fleet of 140 electric train cars for Auckland.

Mr Gammie says “The EOI responses are currently being shortlisted before the final formal tender document, RFP (request for proposal), is released to up to four short-listed tenderers in May.

“The tender process will be concluded by the end of this year with the signing of a contract for a new fleet (140 cars) of Electric Multiple Units”.

Auckland Regional Council, Chairman, Michael Lee says, “Rail electrification is something the Auckland region has dreamed about for sixty years with visionary proponents being stymied on the way. This time we are right on track for Auckland and we will succeed”.

Electrification is part of a wider programme of public transport infrastructure improvements to take place over the next five years, including the achievement of 10-minute train frequencies in peak hours, new stations, opening the Onehunga branch and Manukau spur lines, strengthened bus and ferry networks, integrated ticketing and real time passenger information.

As a result of those improvements, rail patronage is expected to more than double by 2016.

The ARC’s 10-year financial plan provides for an electrification investment of $496 million, including electric trains, and stabling and maintenance facilities.

ENDS