Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) government has shortlisted two consortia led by Serco and Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation to operate Sydney’s A$8bn ($7.96bn) North West Rail Link (NWRL) project.
The operations, trains and systems (OTS) contract is to operate the 23km new rapid transit line between Epping and Rouse Hill that is expected to be in operation by the end of the decade.
MTR is part of a consortium called Northwest Rapid Transit, which includes John Holland, Leighton Contractors, UGL Rail Services and Plenary Group.
TransForm is a consortium led by Serco and includes Bombardier Transportation Australia, Macquarie Capital, SNC-Lavalin Capital, McConnell Dowell Constructors and John Laing Investments.
Work under the OTS contract includes the construction of eight new railway stations, supply of 4,000 car parking spots, delivery of single-deck trains, installation of tracks, signalling, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as the operation of the NWRL.
The contract also involves the construction and operation of a stabling and maintenance facility at Tallawong Road and the conversion of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link for the new rapid transit system.
Both the shortlisted consortia will be formally issued a request for proposal by the NSW government over the coming months, under which they will show how they would carry out the OTS contract.
The OTS deal will be implemented in a public-private partnership and is expected to be awarded in the third quarter of 2014.
The eight new railway stations will be built at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Showground, Norwest, Bella Vista, Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Cudgegong Road.
As the first stage of the project, 15.5km of tunnels will be built between Bella Vista and Epping to allow trains to pass through.
Image: The winning consortium will build eight new railway stations as well as operate the NWRL. Photo: Transport for New South Wales.
