LONG-distance trip times to the bush will be slashed and tired train carriages will go under a Coalition promise for a new $1 billion XPT fleet.

Deputy Premier and ­Nationals leader Troy Grant will unveil the election commitment today at the National Party launch in Dubbo in a move that could cut the travel times to the North Coast by ­almost two hours and to ­Orange by almost an hour.

Mr Grant said the new fleet of trains would be run by NSW TrainLink, with the fares set by the government.

He said the fleet was over 30 years old and well below the international standard of distance trains.

“The new train fleet will transform tourism and travel along the North Coast, Central West and southern NSW,” Mr Grant said. “The new trains will offer regional passengers and tourists unprecedented levels of comfort, convenience and reliability.”

The train carriages are expected to have Wi-Fi and will serve regional food and wine.

“The new trains will provide passengers and tourists with modern and comfortable seating, dining, sleeping and entertainment options, including the potential for Wi-Fi, as well as enhanced security and ­better access for the elderly and people with a disability,” Mr Grant said.

“We will also investigate ­relocating the maintenance ­facilities for the new trains ­outside Sydney to support local jobs and better timetables.”

media_camera Premier Mike Baird continues his campaign in the lead up to the election and even dropped in for a visit to Taronga Zoo to announce an upgrade of the facility yesterday. Picture: Toby Zerna

Transport Minister Gladys ­Berejiklian said it was a “once in a generation” chance to return to the golden age of long distance train travel.

“We will be asking the best train suppliers to be part of this and we’ll be listening closely to what our customers tell us should be considered for the new fleet,” she said.

“We are also enthusiastic about ­exploring tilt train technology, which allows trains to go around corners faster and ­reduce travel times.”

The reduced train travel time to the North Coast is likely to help the National Party’s chances in the seats of Tweed, Lismore and Ballina, where Labor’s commitment to banning coal seam gas has brought the seats within a winnable margin for the Opposition.