NSW Government announces Sydney Light Rail Project’s preferred bidder

TIN news:    The New South Wales (NSW) Government has selected Connecting Sydney consortium as the preferred bidder to deliver and operate Sydney's CBD and South-East Light Rail Project.
 
The consortium includes Australasian Railway Association (ARA), ARA member Transdev Sydney, ARA member Alstom Transport Australia Acciona Infrastructure Australia and Capella Capital.
 
It will be responsible for the design, construction, services relocations, operation and maintenance of the project, as well as the operation and maintenance of the Inner West Light Rail network.
"The higher capacity will help ensure the project can meet growth in Sydney's CBD and south-east for many years to come."
 
This will provide light rail transport for up to 13,500 Sydney residents ('Sydneysiders') an hour in each direction, while reducing traffic congestion on the roads with the removal of 220 buses on the city's streets.
 
ARA CEO Bryan Nye OAM said: "The Connecting Sydney consortium has proposed a shorter construction timeframe, which will reduce the impact on Sydneysiders and provide an operating modern, light rail service sooner than originally anticipated.
 
"The higher capacity will help ensure the project can meet growth in Sydney's CBD and south-east for many years to come."
 
The new 12km-long line will connect Quay, Central and the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct, as well as the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Football Stadium, Randwick Racecourse, University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.
 
It will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).