AUSTRALIND — RAILCARS
125. Hon
Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the closure of the Australind
train service for upgrades to the Armadale line.
(1) Given the
minister's media release of 23 January in which it was stated that the
new Australind train cars were expected to be completed in 2022–23,
how far through construction are these units and when will they be completed?
(2) Given that
the shutdown of the line is still one year away and the work is expected to
take 18 months, can we assume that the line will reopen in two and a half years
or mid to late 2024?
(3) If the Australind
railcars are completed on time, will they sit idle until the track is ready or,
alternatively, is the government using the delay to cover another blowout in
time in another government project?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I am deeply, deeply wounded! I thank
the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) As
previously announced, the new locally made Australind railcars will be
programmed for delivery and entry into service after the shutdown has
concluded. Transwa has already acquired two additional fully accessible road
coaches to assist with the provision of alternative services.