Perth (TAN): The iconic Australind, a passenger train operated by Western Australia’s regional public transport provider Transwa between the cities of Perth and Bunbury, has returned to service after maintenance disruption.
The four railcars, that have run for over 30 years, underwent frequent outages owing to lack of care. Two railcars have resumed service after extensive electrical work while the other two will get back to operation next month.
[ALSO READ: Head to Scotland to find these fantastic beasts]
Minister of Transport, Western Australia, Rita Saffioti said: “The Australind train we inherited suffered from years of neglect by the former Liberal National Government, but we are committed to ensuring that it continues to provide a reliable service for regional passengers while we await the delivery of a new train.”
“The years of neglect were realised when the train was taken off line recently to deal with corrosion issues and significant maintenance works undertaken. We know the Australind service is a vital link between Perth and Bunbury, not only for commuters and locals but also for tourists seeking to access the beautiful South-West,” she added.
Transwa began rail service to Bunbury in 1947, and the diesel rolling stock was introduced in 1987. The Australind train, which initially planned to serve for a maximum 30 years, was left ignored and ageing that led to outages.
Engineers found issues with the condition of the trains while probing during the recent AUD 700,000 maintenance programme. The trains were returned to service following an exhaustive maintenance overhaul.
The government has committed to replace the old railcar set with a new one under its Railcar Program worth AUD 1.6 billion.
[ALSO READ: Jumeirah guests can now text hotel for room service, thanks to its new e-butler service]
Bunbury MLA Don Punch said the process of obtaining a new train should have started long before the train stopped being useful.
“That’s why we’re investing in a new diesel railcar set as part of our AUD 1.6 billion Railcar Program, which will help future-proof Bunbury’s arterial train line and boost WA jobs. Procurement for the new railcars is well underway, with tenders now being assessed, and I look forward to hearing about the successful bidder later this year,” he added.
