The NSW Government has pledged to kick off the procurement process for replacements of the Tangara fleet of suburban passenger trains by March 2027, with a focus on achieving a 50 per cent domestic manufacturing rate within the contract.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalise the rail manufacturing industry, aiming to leave a lasting legacy of secure employment and skilled jobs in NSW and across Australia, ICN Gateway posted on its website.
Dating back to 1988, the 55 x 8-car Tangara sets currently in service constitute a significant portion of Sydney Trains’ suburban passenger fleet.
However, due to their age, these trains are showing signs of deterioration, leading to increased faults and maintenance requirements.
Consequently, reliability across the suburban rail network has declined, accompanied by higher operational and maintenance expenses.
To address these challenges, the NSW Government is set to commence procurement for a Tangara replacement fleet by 2027.
The contract will include a 50 per cent local content target, with an additional 30 per cent local content tender evaluation criteria to ensure NSW-based businesses and jobs are actively involved in all aspects of designing, building, and maintaining the new fleet.
Looking beyond the Tangara replacements, NSW’s rail manufacturing pipeline is robust, with plans for replacing the Millenium and OScar fleets in the 2040s, followed by the Waratah fleet in the 2050s.
This long-term strategy aims to establish a sustainable rolling stock manufacturing pipeline and foster collaboration across the supply chain to create new opportunities for local rail manufacturing businesses.
Early planning and development for the Tangara replacement fleet are already underway, with Transport for NSW and Sydney Trains working on a business case and engaging with industry stakeholders.
Mapping of the supply chain from ICN Gateway data is also ongoing to gauge the potential for rail manufacturers in NSW and beyond.
In late 2023, Transport for NSW hosted its annual Industry Pipeline Event to provide detailed information on the Tangara replacement project and its requirements.
Domestic rail manufacturing businesses, particularly those based in NSW, are encouraged to register with ICN to stay informed and participate in upcoming engagements related to the project’s development and procurement process.
Once registered with ICN, businesses may receive invitations from Transport for NSW and Sydney Trains to contribute to project design discussions and supply chain networking sessions.
A decision on the replacement fleet investment is anticipated from the NSW Government in 2025-26, following which registered businesses will be notified when the procurement process begins.
For companies interested in participating, registration with ICN Gateway is a prerequisite for submitting expressions of interest for the available work packages.
Whether companies can supply the entire item or specific components, submitting an expression of interest is the initial step in engaging with the procurement process.
Detailed instructions on registering with ICN Gateway and submitting expressions of interest are provided for interested parties.
