Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government is investing A$2.8bn to buy a next-generation intercity train fleet for commuters travelling from the South Coast, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle.

NSW transport minister Gladys Berejiklian has called for expressions of interest from local and overseas trial manufacturers for the new fleet of 65 trains, totalling 520 carriages.

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"It was clear there was a lot of enthusiasm among manufacturers from Australia and overseas to be involved in this significant project."

Berejiklian said: "We first met with prospective manufacturers in May at an industry briefing and it was clear there was a lot of enthusiasm among manufacturers from Australia and overseas to be involved in this significant project."

The next-generation intercity train fleet is expected to be rolled out progressively from 2019 to 2024.

The V-Set intercity trains will be retired while the Oscar trains will be redeployed onto Sydney Trains’ suburban network, which travel to the South Coast, Central Coast and Newcastle.

Expressions of interest will close on 15 September and requests for tender are expected later this year.