TRANSPORT for New South Wales (TfNSW) has awarded a $A 1.5bn ($US 1.16bn) contract for the operation and maintenance of the Country Regional Network to UGL. 

The 10-year contract includes: 

  • network operations, including the establishment of a new network control centre in regional New South Wales (NSW) 
  • rail infrastructure maintenance and the implementation of UGL’s proprietary Sigview signalling system 
  • asset and property management, and 
  • safety, access, performance, and environmental management. 

UGL will take over from John Holland Rail, which has managed the network under a previous 10-year contract since 2011. The contract will commence in January 2022. 

The Country Regional Network is a network of approximately 2470km of operational freight and passenger lines, which links predominantly rural areas of NSW with interstate and metropolitan rail systems.  

The network includes over 1200 property assets and almost 1000 bridges, carrying both passenger trains, as well as freight services hauling coal, grain, cotton, minerals and containerised freight. 

“We look forward to working with TfNSW on the safe and successful transition of the Country Regional Network contract over the coming months,” says UGL managing director, Mr Doug Moss.