New South Wales is on track to bring train manufacturing back home, with the state government pushing ahead with its Future Fleet Program, marking a major turning point in public transport policy and industrial development.
In a move aimed at phasing out the aging Tangara fleet—some of Sydney’s oldest suburban trains—the NSW Government has announced a multi-billion dollar plan to build the next generation of passenger trains right here in the state. The goal is clear: reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing, support local jobs, and deliver better-performing trains tailored to Australian conditions.
“This is about bringing rail jobs and innovation back to NSW,” said Premier Chris Minns. “We’ve seen the failures of outsourcing train builds overseas. It’s time we bring that capability home.”
The current Tangara fleet, which first rolled out in the late 1980s, still carries hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. With procurement for their replacement slated to begin by 2027, the government has pledged that at least 50% of the new trains will be locally manufactured. An additional 30% local content score will be factored into the tender process, ensuring regional businesses are actively involved in design, assembly, and ongoing maintenance.
To maintain current services while the new trains are being developed, the government is injecting $447 million into a life-extension program for the existing Tangara fleet. The upgrade will modernize the train management system, improve safety and accessibility features, and revamp passenger information displays—effectively keeping the fleet running for another 12 years.
Industry advocates have applauded the initiative, seeing it as a long-overdue shift toward sustainable local manufacturing. “This isn’t just a train build. It’s a revival of a whole sector,” said a spokesperson for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.
The program is expected to support thousands of jobs across NSW, from engineers and technicians to suppliers and apprentices, while laying the foundation for a long-term rail manufacturing ecosystem that could extend into the 2040s and beyond.
For commuters, the investment signals a future of more reliable, comfortable, and accessible train services—all proudly built at home.
