Official commissioning of Westrail's five new electric train sets

16/12/98

Transport Minister Murray Criddle today officially commissioned Westrail's five new electric train sets which will be used to boost Transperth's passenger capacity on urban passenger network.

When all of the two-car sets, costing a total of $33 million, are in service, they will increase capacity by 1,600 passengers and substantially ease congestion on the trains, especially at peak times.

"The commissioning of these new railcars underlines the Coalition Government's commitment to enhancing our public transport system," Mr Criddle said.

"These new generation railcars ensure Perth commuters will continue to enjoy a world-class urban rail service.

"Urban rail in Perth has been a success story with patronage across the network now running at approximately 29 million passenger boardings a year."

The new railcars have a number of significant design features to improve security and accessibility for all passengers, including:

+ increased video surveillance with two cameras per railcar;

+ safer doors which will automatically re-open if the door is obstructed upon closing;

+ flashing internal and external door buttons to indicate the doors are about to close;

+ passenger information displays on LED screens which will visually show the next station;

+ an audio loop to enable people with hearing aids to listen to all passenger announcements;

+ lowered and duplicated door buttons and door location information;

+ improved interior layout for accessibility and additional space for people in wheelchairs; and -

+ yellow colour contrasting vertical grabpoles and doorsteps to aid the visually impaired.

The new railcars were built by Walkers Adtranz Pty Ltd in Queensland, with four Western Australian companies supplying equipment and components for the new trains.

The new railcars are open for public inspection today at Perth Central Station, between 10am and 3pm, with demonstrations of the video surveillance system which is linked to monitors on the platform. Educational videos will also be on display outside the railcar.

Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333