A cleaner future is here as final hybrid train ready for service

Thursday, 16 January 2025

The State Government has reached a major milestone in its journey towards sustainability with 50 hybrid-diesel railcars now in operation across Adelaide Metro’s rail network.

With the completion of the final hybrid conversion and its entry into service today, Adelaide Metro’s non-electrified Outer Harbor, Grange, Belair and Port Dock lines are now serviced entirely by hybrid-diesel railcars.

The distinctive green rail fleet is fully fitted with a hybrid system designed to reduce emissions, lower fuel consumption and enhance passenger experience.

The new Energy Storage and Recovery System works by storing kinetic energy generated during braking in the train’s onboard batteries and converting it into electrical energy to power normal operations, decreasing stress on the engine and fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent.

The system also powers auxiliary functions like lighting and air conditioning, allowing trains to remain engine-free within Adelaide Railway Station for up to 20 minutes - significantly reducing noise and air pollution within the station.

Adelaide Metro will save an estimated 2400 tonnes of CO₂ annually and reduce fuel consumption by between 700,000 and 1 million litres of diesel each year.

The first converted two-car hybrid train entered service in October 2023 ahead of a progressive rollout of the remaining railcars. The final diesel-only trains ran their final service on 31 December 2024.

This $11.4 million investment into creating a cleaner, greener and more efficient transport network is a critical step in achieving the State Government’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. Adelaide Metro will continue to explore and implement advanced technologies to further reduce emissions and improve service efficiency.

Meanwhile, the return of Adelaide Metro rail operations to State Government hands has reached an important milestone with the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) granting accreditation to the South Australian Rail Commissioner, which allows the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to operate the rail network.

To operate a railway in Australia, accreditation must first be obtained as a requirement under national rail safety legislation. To obtain ONRSR accreditation for the South Australian Rail Commissioner, the Department was required to submit a thorough safety case to demonstrate all required systems and resources will be in place to safely operate the rail system.

The return of train services to public operation is part of the Government’s election commitment to return rail operations to State Government hands.