DOW
30/05/2014 08:30
GENERAL
REL: 0830 HRS Downer EDI Limited
GENERAL: DOW: 78th Waratah Train enters passenger service
Media/ASX and NZX Release
29 May 2014
78TH WARATAH TRAIN ENTERS PASSENGER SERVICE
Downer EDI Limited (Downer) announced today that the 78th Waratah train had
entered into passenger service on the Sydney rail network.
The Chief Executive Officer of Downer, Grant Fenn, said he was extremely
proud that Downer had designed and manufactured a fleet of world class
passenger trains for the people of New South Wales.
"The Waratah trains are very popular with train commuters and crews because
they provide first class comfort and accessibility, advanced safety and
security and smart technology. They have become the new transport icon for
New South Wales and the benchmark for passenger trains in Australia," Mr Fenn
said.
"Importantly, the performance of the Waratah trains has exceeded all
expectations. A key reason for this achievement is the quality of the train
design and the successful integration of the many complex systems that make
up the trains.
"Both the design and the systems integration was done by Downer in Australia
and a significant amount of the manufacturing was also performed in
Australia, at Downer's Cardiff facility near Newcastle. This is testament to
the capability of Downer's rail business and the Australian rolling stock
supply industry."
The Waratah trains now make up around 40% of Sydney's passenger train fleet
and they will be the backbone of the Sydney rail network for many years to
come.
"Downer has overcome numerous obstacles to deliver the Waratah fleet and this
is due to the hard work, persistence and professionalism of the project
team," Mr Fenn said.
"We were determined to work constructively with Transport for NSW to get the
job done, break records for train delivery in Australia and set a new
benchmark for program recovery worldwide. I believe we have succeeded in
achieving these goals and I thank and congratulate everyone involved,
including the teams at Reliance Rail, Transport for NSW and the State
Government."
As part of the Waratah Train Project, Downer has delivered 78 passenger
trains (626 carriages), a state-of-the-art maintenance facility at Auburn and
simulators for crew training. Downer also has a contract to maintain the
Waratah fleet for 30 years.
For further information please contact:
Michael Sharp, Group Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations +61 439
470145
Luke Thrum, Manager Investor Relations +61 459 828720
Downer EDI Limited (www.downergroup.com) provides comprehensive engineering
and infrastructure management services to the public and private Minerals &
Metals, Oil & Gas, Power, Transport Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Water
and Property sectors across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific
region.
End CA:00251042 For:DOW Type:GENERAL Time:2014-05-30 08:30:07
(20min delay)