The Canberra light rail fleet upgrade has prepared the city’s vehicles to run on parts of the network without overhead wires.

Worker inside a Canberra light rail vehicle during battery upgrade works
A worker inside a Canberra light rail vehicle during battery technology upgrade works. Photo: © Australian Capital Territory / CC BY 4.0

The work covers 14 existing light rail vehicles, which have been fitted with on-board energy storage systems (OESS) through the Light Rail Procurement, Retrofit and Depot Expansion (LPRDE) Project⁠. Five new vehicles have also joined the fleet with the same technology already installed.

Canberra light rail fleet upgrade adds OESS

The upgrade is linked to Light Rail Stage 2A⁠, the network extension now under construction. On that section, vehicles will run wire-free between the Alinga Street and Commonwealth Park stops.

Because OESS is being used, lineside poles and overhead wiring are not required on the wire-free section. This reduces impacts on sensitive national areas and helps preserve city views, while also allowing for a narrower track area and less disruption to street space.

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How wire-free light rail operation works?

Each OESS unit includes batteries, control electronics and a thermal management system⁠ that helps keep battery temperature at an optimum level in different weather conditions.

The system charges while vehicles run on wired parts of the route. The stored energy then powers the vehicles through wire-free areas. Additional energy is generated through regenerative braking.

During the retrofit programme, each light rail vehicle was removed from service, fitted with batteries and tested before being returned to operation.

Official project image of Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A near Alinga Street
Official project image showing the planned Light Rail Stage 2A route area near Alinga Street and London Circuit. Photo: © Australian Capital Territory / CC BY 4.0

What will change for passengers?

For passengers, the fleet upgrade is tied to the next extension of Canberra’s light rail network rather than only to vehicle technology. Light Rail Stage 2A is planned as a 1.7 km extension from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park, with new stops at Edinburgh Avenue, City South and Commonwealth Park. The ACT Government says passengers will be able to board a service every 5–15 minutes on the extended route. Canberra Metro also links the LPRDE works to preparing an expanded depot and a full fleet of battery-equipped vehicles ahead of Stage 2A services between Alinga Street and Commonwealth Park.

Light Rail Stage 2A is targeting completion in early 2028.

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