A Tangara train pulls out of Milsons Point station on a journey across Sydney Harbour Bridge on Tuesday.Credit:Nick Moir
The 55 Tangara trains form a quarter of Sydney Trains’ rolling stock and face major reliability risks without the upgrade.
They are the highest contributor to maintenance incidents on the city’s rail network. Sydney Trains’ data reveals that Tangara failures increased to 511 last year – up from 313 the prior year – resulting in 690 trip cancellations.
The $447 million allocated in the state budget this month for the Tangara upgrade will be spent over the next three and a half years. The work is due to start early next year and be completed in late 2027.
As part of that work,technology systems will be upgraded,onboard passenger information screens will be installed,and wheelchair accessibility and air conditioning will be improved.
Tangaras under construction in Newcastle,1987. The state government has pledged to build their replacements in NSW.Credit:Fairfax Media
An extra $17.5 million will also be set aside in the budget to help develop a strategic business case to build the trains in NSW to replace the Tangaras. It comes after $10 million was allocated in the state budget last year for the replacement train project.
Laborvowed in the lead-up to last year’s state election to build the Tangaras’ replacements in NSW and create at least 1000 long-term jobs. Its election commitment was to begin the procurement process for new trains in its first four years in power.