The Mott MacDonald and SMEC FutureRail joint venture has been awarded the More Trains, More Services technical advisor contract to plan for future stages of the programme by the client, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). Over the next ten years, the More Trains, More Services program will roll out world class technology to transform the rail network and provide customers with more reliable, high capacity turn up and go services.
In the past seven years, patronage on the existing heavy rail network has grown by almost a third. Sydney’s train network carries more than half of all public transport customers. As Sydney continues to grow there will be more demand for train services to meet the needs of the city, and to complement the new Sydney Metro network.
Significant investment is provided through the More Trains, More Services program to deliver world-class services for all rail customers, and the program is a vital part of delivering the Future Transport 2056 Strategy. Digital systems technology will increase capacity on each line up to 24 trains an hour, so many customers can expect a train every two and a half minutes during peak periods. This will bring Sydney’s transport system in line with other major cities around the world.
To deliver the infrastructure upgrade plan for rail services in NSW, the FutureRail joint venture will assist with the production of deliverables for program wide transport modelling and planning, feasibility studies, strategic business case support, definition design, final business case support, concept/reference design, procurement assistance and delivery support, as well as associated investment assurance and configuration management gate submission.
Craig Burrell, TfNSW key account leader, Mott MacDonald said: “We’re excited to have been awarded the More Trains, More Services – technical advisor role and look forward to delivering this vital program, whilst minimising disruption to rail operations by using innovation and best practice in constructability. We look forward to working with TfNSW once again on such a significant project – a programme that fundamentally changes the way Sydney-siders use the rail network to connect to their jobs, their communities and their way of life.”
Ray Murphy, national manager - Rail, SMEC added: “In this role, we’ll be able to work closely with TfNSW in setting the direction for future improvements to the rail network in NSW. It’s an amazing opportunity to be at the forefront of designing leading edge solutions to enhance the capacity and resilience of the network. We’ll be drawing upon our national and international expertise in transport planning and design across both SMEC and Mott MacDonald to meet the client’s ambitious objectives.”
