The 1067mm-gauge trains are being procured through the Department of Transport's New Generation Rolling Stock project in partnership with Projects Queensland. Queensland Rail will provide technical assistance for the introduction and commissioning of the fleet.
The PPP contract is due to be finalised next month with the first train scheduled for delivery in late 2015. The entire fleet is due to enter service by December 2018.
The EMUs will be used on suburban services around Brisbane, providing additional capacity and allowing the withdrawal of life-expired rolling stock.
As part of the contract, the consortium will maintain the trains for 30 years at a purpose-built depot in Wulkuraka near Ipswich. Construction is expected to begin on the new facility immediately after contract signing.
