Two consortia have been shortlisted by the Australian state of Victoria to provide up to $1bn of signalling and communications systems for the Metro Tunnel Rail Systems Alliance (RSA).

The selected consortia are a consortium of CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation; and MetroConnect consortium, which consists of John Holland, Siemens and UGL.

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The winning bidder will install high-capacity signalling (HCS) on the new Sunbury-to-Pakenham line that will run through the Metro Tunnel. 

HCS will enable trains to safely run faster in greater frequency, enabling more trains and cutting travel time. Up to 30 services an hour can run using this technology.

Under the RSA project, a Centre of Excellence will also be established in Victoria with an aim to support local skills, jobs and opportunities in the rail signalling and communications industry.

Once complete, the project will provide space in the City Loop to run more trains across the network.

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"Next-generation signalling will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour."

Australia Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said: “The successful bidder will install next-generation signalling, which will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour.  

“The Centre for Excellence will provide skills, jobs and opportunities to local workers in the growing rail signalling industry.

“The Andrews Labour Government is delivering the Metro Tunnel, removing dangerous and congested level crossings and building bigger, better trains to get people home safer and sooner every day.”

Recently, the government of Victoria placed an order for 65 new high-capacity trains, which will be built in the state and be deployed in the Metro Tunnel network.

The trains will run using the high-capacity signalling technology.

Image: Australia’s Metro Tunnel Rail Systems Alliance (RSA) will use high-capacity signalling and communications systems. Photo: courtesy of state of Victoria.

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