The draft design for Australia’s most accessible passenger trains has been put to the test at a Low-Fidelity (Lo-Fi) train mock-up in Geebung.
Members of the disability sector, train passengers, train drivers and bike users have had a chance to inspect the mock-up of the new Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) trains.
A co-design process is ongoing with the disability sector to ensure trains are compliant, functional, and accessible for all passengers.
The 65 six-car QTMP trains will be compliant with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) and will be the most accessible rollingstock in Australia when the first train is manufactured and begins testing in late 2026.
It comes as major accessibility upgrades are completed across all 75 New Generation Rollingstock trains. The Miles Government has invested more than $335 million into the upgrade of the entire New Generation Rollingstock fleet, in response to a 2018 Commission of Inquiry.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services, Bart Mellish spoke about the new trains.
“This is 65 new, accessible six-car trains built right here in Queensland, by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders,” he said.
“We are providing trains that will future-proof public transport for Queensland in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Fraser Coast indigenous-owned business Allweld Manufacturing built the state-of-the-art Low-Fidelity train mock-up, which will help QTMP ensure the train design not only meets disability compliance but goes beyond to achieve functionality and accessibility for train passengers.
“The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program is creating local jobs right here, right now and will continue to benefit our community.”
All 65 QTMP trains are expected to be in service by 2032, in time for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will feature a wide, accessible path of travel through the train, and electronic levelling control and train boarding bridges to facilitate independent boarding at all doors for people who use mobility devices.
There will also be 20 accessible spaces, 88 priority seats, two fully-accessible toilets, hearing loops, USB-C charging at all seats and four bicycle storage spaces on every train.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher said the 65 QTMP trains will be the most accessible passenger trains ever in Australia, which is something he is very proud of.
“The trains will have technology to reduce the vertical and horizontal gap between the train and platform, making it easier for people who use mobility devices, or are travelling with luggage or prams,” he said.
“When the designated accessible areas on QTMP trains are not in use by priority users, customers with bikes and e-scooters will be able to use these spaces.”
This package of works is part of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, which will support 1,300 jobs throughout the life of the project.
Disability Advocate and Spokesperson Passenger Rollingstock Accessibility Project Working Group, John Mayo spoke about the importance of making sure these trains are accessible.
“We settled on a goal to build the most accessible and inclusive trains in Queensland, and that’s what everybody’s been working toward,” he said.
“This is the fifth co-design project that I’ve been involved with and it’s one of the largest – it has been an exceptional way to go about things.
“Visiting the Low-fidelity mock-up is a huge benefit, because we get to see how people are actually interacting with the design.
“We have the designers, the project team, and the customer group, and all three parties are working together respectfully.
“I think this process is as good as it gets in terms of a co-design process for a major project.”
QTMP will build 65 six-car passenger trains at a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region. As part of the program, a new rail facility will also be constructed at Ormeau, on the Gold Coast.
Downer was awarded the contract for QTMP in June 2023.
The first QTMP train is anticipated to be manufactured and begin testing by late 2026, with all trains expected to be in service by 2032.
The new, modern train fleet will provide passengers with more efficient, reliable, and accessible travel across South East Queensland.
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