THE Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA), which responsible for the safe and efficient operation of Perth’s 180km electrified passenger rail network, is seeking an analogue radio network for trains, maintenance and security.
Most of the network is above ground, with approximately 5km currently underground. PTA’s operations include Transperth, which operates bus, ferry and train services in metropolitan Perth, Transwa, which operates regional road coach and train services to link 240 locations in regional WA, 154 buses service Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Port Hedland.
PTA includes the Network and Infrastructure Division, which ensures public transport infrastructure is safe and WA’s School Bus Services, providing school buses to children in rural and remote areas. Formed in 2003, PTA has 1654 employees, and an annual budget of $A1.27 billion.
Integral to PTA’s current rail operations is an analogue private mobile radio system operating in the 400MHz band, which provides voice radio communications in support of train, security and maintenance operations.
PTA intends to seek Expressions of Interest (EOI) from companies that can demonstrate strong capabilities to deliver a replacement of its analogue private mobile radio system with a long term evolution digital radio system in a rail environment operating in the 1800MHz band.
The EOI will be the first stage of a multi-stage procurement process to select the contractor for a design, construct & maintenance contract for the project, to be brought into operation by the end of 2020.
The PTA expects to release the EOI Invitation on 1 February 2017 with a non-mandatory industry briefing to be held on February 10, 2017. ♦
