Rail revolution: 'More Trains, More Services' to bust congestion

Sydney’s overcrowded rail network will get a major boost to services to cope with rapidly increasing demand, with a $1.5 billion capital investment to provide an urgent uplift in customer service.

The ‘More Trains, More Services’ program will address the dramatic 21% growth in patronage forecast over the next 5 years with:

• The delivery of 24 new eight-car Waratah-style trains to boost services.
• Acceleration of new express services on the busy T1 Western Line to cope with demand.
• Track, signaling and power upgrades to increase capacity and reliability.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the ‘More Trains, More Services’ program was vital to accommodate the major surge in passenger growth.

“We’ve seen average train loads rise significantly which is starting to impact on customers’ ability to get on a train in peak periods,” Mr Constance said.

Today, the NSW Government has ordered 24 additional Waratah-style trains, meaning more of the popular, reliable and comfortable commuter services will begin rolling onto the tracks from late 2018.

The extra trains in the first instance will deliver customers more peak hour capacity including:

• An extra 4 express trains between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD in both the morning and afternoon peaks which equals.
• Train services every 3 minutes, or up to 20 trains per hour in the busiest periods.
• Work commencing on a new timetable to implement the extra services on the T1 Western Line by late 2017.

“What we’re seeing in terms of growth is off the charts and we have to act quickly to keep the system running well.”

Following a competitive tender process, today’s order for new trains leaves more than $300 million in savings that will be re-invested into a new country XPT fleet. The contract for the new XPT fleet will set a target for 100% assembly in NSW, with a preference towards regional NSW, to boost jobs and skills.

“In November I announced the acceleration of the new country fleet, and our aim is that significant components of those trains will be assembled in the regions, as well as stabled and maintained in regional NSW,” Mr Constance said.

‘More Trains, More Services’ will be a staged program of works on the rail system to compliment additional rail capacity being introduced on the network, particularly the Sydney Metro Northwest line which is due to open in 2019. Further announcements will be made in due course in relation to other parts of the program that will boost services across the rest of the rail network.

About Transport for NSW

Transport for NSW is the lead agency of the NSW Transport cluster. Our role is to lead the development of a safe, efficient, integrated transport system that keeps people and goods moving, connects communities and shapes the future of our cities, centres and regions.