Bunbury MLA Don Punch insists Australind train upgrades on track despite calls to step in to prevent delays

Bunbury MP Don Punch has refuted claims that “urgent intervention” is needed to prevent delays to the upgrade of the outdated Australind train service. The trouble-plagued train is known for its track record of disruptions and it has been a point of contention over the years, as community members called for upgrades and politicians passed the blame. In February the crippled service returned from a disruption, which lasted more than two months, only to be taken off the rails just 12 days later. With an intended working life of 30 years, the now 33-year-old Australind was due for replacement in 2017. The opening of the new Metronet railcar manufacturing facility this month means the ball is finally rolling on the train’s upgrade. Six new railcars for the Australind will be made at the facility and are expected to be completed in 2023 and 2024. Bunbury-based Nationals MLC James Hayward said last week that the State Government broke its promise to South West residents by prioritising Perth’s Metronet rail cars for the Mandurah to Joondalup line ahead of the Australind railcars. “More than four years and another election later, we are expected to wait at least another two years, likely three, before the first new train could be in service,” he said. Mr Hayward said regional people were missing out again and called on Mr Punch to intervene. “Booking a train ticket to Perth and not catching a replacement bus is like winning the lottery at this point,” he said. But Mr Punch told the Herald Mr Hayward’s comments were misleading and the upgrades were on track. He said it was always intended to initially manufacture Metronet carriages before the Australind railcars to ensure the efficiency of the production line at the new factory. “Because the Australind is a short order of six new railcars that are bespoke design, we want to make sure that everything in the factory runs well and then those six carriages will be built,” Mr Punch said. “The target is still for 2023 and the trains are being built specially for and in recognition of the Bunbury to Perth link.” He reiterated previous comments that the previous Liberal-National government made no commitment to replace the service even though it was clear the train had reached the end of its design life and was littered with “significant mechanical and structural problems”.