Partners Group to invest in AUD 2 billion metro trains project for the State of Victoria, Australia Dienstag, 22. November 2016 - 09:07

Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, will invest in Melbourne's High Capacity Metro Trains Public Private Partnership Project ("HCMT PPP"), an AUD 2 billion project to deliver 65 trains to the State of Victoria, on behalf of its clients.

With a 49.9% stake, Partners Group will be the largest equity investor in the Evolution Rail consortium, which includes fellow investors Downer Group, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and Plenary Group. Having achieved contractual close today, Partners Group will now work with the Evolution Rail consortium to conclude financial close.

The HCMT PPP involves the design and delivery of 65 trains to the State of Victoria as part of its 10-year Rolling Stock Strategy and also includes the ongoing maintenance. The project will be delivered jointly by industrial partners Downer and CRRC, with the first train due to come into service in mid-2019. All 65 trains are anticipated to be rolling out as a dedicated fleet prior to the opening of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel. Downer will then maintain the trains for 30 years.

Benjamin Haan, Managing Director and Head Private Infrastructure Asia-Pacific, Partners Group, states: "All of the new trains will be built in Victoria, with more than 60% local content, and the project is expected to result in some 1,100 jobs. Partners Group is pleased to be working with high-quality industrial partners, Downer and CRRC, and to be continuing its longstanding, successful relationship with Plenary. Once operational, the HCMT PPP will deliver stable 'availability-style' revenues for the benefit of our clients."

Brandon Prater, Partner, Co-Head Private Infrastructure, Partners Group, adds: "Partners Group is a strong supporter of the Australian PPP model, having previously invested in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Project and Sydney Metro Northwest. The HCMT PPP is backed by the AAA-rated State of Victoria. It is a great fit with our investment strategy and highly complementary to other social and transport infrastructure investments in our global portfolio."