Launch date set for new Prospector train

30/4/04
The new state-of-the-art, high speed Prospector train will come into service on June 28, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced today.
Bookings for the new Perth-to-Kalgoorlie train open on Monday, May 17.
"Prospector patrons will now experience a super-smooth ride on the most sophisticated, passenger-friendly train in Australia," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The new Prospector will travel at up to 160kmh, enabling it to complete the 653km trip from Perth to Kalgoorlie in less than six hours.
"This is nearly two hours quicker than the current journey, making the rail trip competitive with road for the first time."
A standard single journey on the new Prospector will be $68.40, with concession fares available at half the standard price.
Standard features will include personal air conditioning controls, personal music channels, new release movies, access to power points for laptop computers and phone and facsimile services.
The Minister also announced that Transwa - operator of the Public Transport Authority's regional passenger services, including the Prospector - would introduce a premium service when the new train came into operation.
"Prospector GoldService is designed as a value-adding option for what is already the best on offer on a long-distance daylight rail service," she said.
"The GoldService fare will provide choice for consumers and is in response to our market research which shows a preference for differing service levels, particularly among retirees, corporate travellers and national and international visitors."
The fare for GoldService is $124.50 one way. Concession Card holders can pay a $56.10 upgrade fee to utilise the service.
Ms MacTiernan said GoldService passengers would have departure lounges with complimentary tea and coffee at East Perth and Kalgoorlie, with designated luggage check-in and porterage.
GoldService also features:

• upgraded seating;
• complimentary newspaper and fruit juice immediately on departure;
• a designated GoldService senior customer service officer;
• a three-course meal served in-seat with glassware, crockery and cutlery;
• morning or afternoon tea including a variety of caf-style coffees and teas; and
• in-seat service for drinks and other buffet items, which would be available for purchase.

"Initially, up to 20 seats will be allocated to GoldService," Ms MacTiernan said.
"This represents about 20 per cent of the capacity of the normal two-car train."
Announcement of the launch date follows eight months of track testing by the train's manufacturer, United Goninan.
United Goninan is building nine trains - two, two-car sets and a three-car set for the Prospector and a two-car set for the AvonLink - under a $56million contract with the PTA.
The first of the trains arrived in Western Australia in May last year and started track tests in September. Though results exceeded projected benchmarks, a problem emerged with the train's electric power inverter. This initially proved difficult to identify and then to remedy. United Goninan had to refer back to the German sub-contractor that had made the electrical component.
Under the terms of the contract, Transwa does not take delivery of the train until all problems are rectified, which has meant that all the costs involved with the delay and the extra testing have been borne by United Goninan.
This process is now complete and handover of the first train is expected to take place towards the end of May. The second set will follow soon after.
Prospector bookings can be made by calling 1300 6622 05 or online by following the links at http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au
Minister's Office - 9213 6400