The operator of Melbourne Metro Rail is coming to Sydney. Photo: Penny Stephens
The operator of train systems in Hong Kong and Melbourne has been chosen to run the first privately operated passenger rail line in Sydney, the north-west rail link.
Premier Mike Baird and Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced on Tuesday morning that MTR Corporation, along with John Holland, Leighton Contractors, UGL Rail Services and Plenary Group, had been chosen to operate the $8.3 billion train line.
The north-west rail link is under construction and due to open in 2019. Photo: Geoff Jones
In time, the private train operator will also run other parts of Sydney's train system.
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In return for privatising sections of the state's electricity network, the Baird government has said it would also connect the north-west rail link to the Bankstown Line through another crossing of Sydney Harbour - in effect using one privatisation to pay for another.
“This is a landmark moment for the North West Rail Link and the NSW government will now work with the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium to further negotiate and finalise this multibillion-dollar contract, which is expected to be awarded later this year,” Mr Baird said.
An artist's impression of a bridge that will carry the rail line over Windsor Road at Rouse Hill.
MTR operates nine metro train lines through Hong Kong, but also runs lines and offers consultancy services internationally.
As Metro Trains Melbourne, it is the majority shareholder of the company that runs that city's rail services.
As well as running the north-west rail link, which is partly a new line that will be built from Epping to Rouse Hill and which will also include the existing Epping to Chatswood line, MTR's contract will feature a number of other responsibilities.
It will have to build the eight new rail stations, 4000 commuter car parking spaces, supply new driverless trains, and convert the Epping to Chatswood line to accommodate a new signalling system and new single-deck trains.
The government has not said how long the Epping to Chatswood line will need to be closed to allow for its conversion.
Ms Berejiklian said the government would provide more details about the contract with MTR's consortium when it was signed later this year. The announcement on Tuesday morning was that the government preferred its consortium to another led by Serco and Bombadier.
Ms Berejiklian said: "This ensures that NSW taxpayers get the best deal possible from this important contract, which will make up a large part of the total $8.3 billion project cost.”
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