Record expenditure to deliver Government's commitments for new trains, rail lines and stations

The Iemma Government will support spending of a record $5.8 billion on transport to help deliver on our commitments to expand and improve public transport systems, increase capacity and grow patronage, including $3.3 billion in the 2007/08 Budget.
The 2007/08 Budget provides a $382 million increase in capital spending in transport to plan and deliver critical rail infrastructure projects announced as part of the Premier's Urban Transport Statement, including the acceleration of the North West Rail Link.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins said the budget contained massive investments of $232.1 million on rail rollingstock and $122.3 million for new environmentally friendly buses.
"Capital funding has been increased by $382 million to nearly $1.9 billion to fund the delivery of some of the biggest rail infrastructure improvements undertaken in NSW in 30 years - new trains, new rail lines and new stations," he said.
"The $1.9 billion includes funding for major rail projects including the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP) and the completion of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link by next year. It also includes the Minister for Planning's $289 million allocation for land acquisitions in the North West and South West rail corridors.
"More than $56 million is provided for the three MREP projects: the CBD, North West and South West rail links, and the Premier's commitment to accelerate the North West Rail Link to bring trains to The Hills district two years earlier by 2015.
"And more than $284.4 million is provided for our Clearways Plan to improve reliability and capacity, including $4.9 million for the Schofields to Vineyard duplication, which will double the number of peak rail services to Sydney's North West by 2012."
RAIL
• The 2007/08 operating budget for RailCorp is $2.4 billion. This includes $1.5 billion in grants from the budget and $590 million in farebox revenue and will fund the operating costs of CityRail and CountryLink passenger services
• The rail capital budget has increased by 16 per cent from 2005/06. The capital program increases to $948.3 million in 2007/08, compared to $830 million last year. This will fund safety improvements, new rolling stock, station upgrades, and improvements in communications. This program includes:
o $36.5 million in new funding to deliver major long-term rail safety projects recommended in the Waterfall Inquiry including $5 million to retrofit older trains for passenger initiated escape, $16.5 million for the trial of Automatic
Train Protection Systems on the Blue Mountains Line, and $15 million toward the development of a new digital train radio system.
o $43 million for Easy Access station upgrades to continue work at Auburn, Belmore, Bowral, Carlton, Eastwood, Seven Hills, Turramurra and Werrington; to start work at three new sites Lindfield - ($5.2 million), Newtown ($1.3 million) and St James ($3.5 million); and for investigations into Picton, Martin Place, Broadmeadow, Central (east entry), Burwood, Emu Plains, Windsor and Sydenham.
o $26.1 million to continue major upgrade of North Sydney station and $6.9 million for Hurstville. Funds will be also available to investigate redevelopment of Town Hall and Redfern stations. Planning is continuing on new stations at North Warnervale, University of Western Sydney and Glendale;
• Mr Watkins said the Budget also delivered on the Government's commitment to increase commuter car parking in target areas with more than $11.4 million for the following new and expanded sites:
o $1.5 million for Wentworthville;
o $3.1 million for Bankstown;
o $0.5 million for Macarthur;
o $0.3 million for Windsor;
o $0.5 million for Morisset;
o $2.5 million for Woy Woy;
o $3 million for Tuggerah.
• The Rail Infrastructure Corporation will receive $201 million including $50 million for the Interstate and Hunter Valley networks. A further $23 million will be available to upgrade signalling and introduce new train control systems on the Country Regional Network.
• $232.1 million for rollingstock as part of our record $4 billion investment in new rollingstock including $132.8 million to progress the delivery of 626 new air conditioned carriages, $50 million for the new OSCARS, $12.5 million for the upgrade of the long haul XPT and Endeavour cars.
• $297.5 million will be spent on completing the Epping to Chatswood Rail Line that opens next year.
BUSES
State Transit will receive $281.3 million in 2007/08, and increase of $13.7 million on 2006/07. This includes:
o $63.4 million for new lower emission Compressed Natural Gas and Euro 5 diesel buses for State Transit in Sydney and Newcastle;
o $34.1 million for bus depot upgrades, including $23.6 million to double the capacity of Leichhardt Depot, and make it Australia's first ‘all green' bus depot.
o $1.6m to fit older buses with new emission reduction technology.
• $538 million for private operators, including $178.1 million for Metropolitan Sydney, $86 million for Outer Metropolitan Sydney, and up to $274 million for regional NSW.
• Private bus operators will purchase 126 new buses worth $53.1 million as part of their new bus contracts.
FERRIES
• Sydney Ferries operating budget will receive a $16 million boost, increasing to $60.2 million.
• Its capital budget of $16.8 million will provide for projects including:
o $3 million Balmain Shipyard Upgrade;
o $2.6 million for new engines on First Fleet vessels to improve their safety, reliability and fuel efficiency and $900,000 to continue the program to install vessel management systems on all vessels;
o $1 million for preliminary work on a Fleet Replacement Strategy; and
o $400,000 to refurbish seats on vessels.
ITSRR AND OTSI
• The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator will receive $17.1 million including;
o $15 million for safety audits, compliance investigations, implementing new nationally consistent rail safety legislation and liaison with industry;
o $1.9 million for research and reporting on reliability issues (primarily rail);
o $200,000 on improving transport safety regulatory frameworks.
• Additionally, $400,000 will be spent by ITSRR improving the reporting system for safety regulation.
• The Office of Transport Safety Investigations will receive $2.4 million in 2007/08.
CONCESSIONS
• $448.9 million on the School Student Transport Scheme, which provides free transport between home and school for around 660,000 eligible students.
• $55.6 million in payments to community groups in 2007/08.
Contact: Tina Sorenson 0413 906 125