NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, said an EOI will soon be issued for the design, construction and maintenance of the new trains and maintenance facility.

This will deliver more, comfort, convenient timetabling and reduced congestion for regional and rural passengers. It will replace: 60 XPT passenger cars; 23 XPLORER passenger cars; 28 Endeavour passenger cars, and; 19 diesel locomotives.

The project will include private financing to facilitate the delivery of the project under an EOI and subsequent tender process ahead of the contract being awarded in early 2019.

The new trains will be operated by NSW TrainLink and the new maintenance facility is earmarked for Dubbo, selected after analysis of potential sites against criteria including operational, engineering, environmental and construction considerations.

Work to obtain the Planning Approvals begins soon, and it is hoped the new facility will be built ahead of the trains expected in the early 2020s.

Smarter driver disqualification laws 

Reforms to toughen sanctions on repeat driver licence offenders, and provide incentives for disqualified drivers who demonstrate good behaviour are in the offing.

Under the new laws, NSW Police will have extra powers to confiscate number plates or cars of repeat offenders on-the-spot and hold them for three to six months, as a means to reduce unauthorised driving and repeat offending.

The reforms also introduce new ways for rehabilitating disqualified drivers who can demonstrate their commitment to lawful behaviour. Tough penalties will continue to apply for very serious driving offences, like drink and drug driving.

Those eligible will still need to apply to Roads and Maritime Services and complete standard road safety and knowledge tests to regain their licence.