The next 65 trains for Queensland will be built in Maryborough.
“Initially we were asking for 20 trains to be built. We will now be asking for 65 trains to be built,” she said.
The project continues a 150-year history of train building in Maryborough.
“Not only is[the city] going to be the hub,but this is the largest investment in train manufacturing in Queensland,” she said.
In 2020 the Labor Party promised to build 20 trains in Maryborough “with an option for a further 45”.
Three companies are bidding to construct the first 20 trains and can bid when the contract for the additional 45 trains is available in early 2022.
It had said the first 20 trains were needed for the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail underground rail project under way between the Gabba and Roma Street stations in Brisbane,which would improve links with future Gold and Sunshine coasts rail networks.
Thirty of Queensland’s Citytrain fleet of 149 three-car train and carriage sets will be retired from 2025.