In early January Illawarra commuters catching the 5.46pm train from Central will need to make sure they answer nature’s call before boarding.
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From January 7, changes to allocate more carriages to earlier trains will see an end to a toilet on that service.
The 5.46pm service has been running as an eight-car Oscar set, which came with a toilet.
But Transport for NSW is taking those eight cars and adding them to two four-car trains leaving Central in the early peak.
In place of the Oscar carriages the 5.46pm train will become a Tangara – which does not include a toilet.
So passengers between Central and Wollongong will need to take care of that little piece of business before boarding or spend a one-hour-and-28-minute train trip crossing their legs.
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Transport for NSW said a Tangara was chosen as the replacement because the 5.46pm train terminates at Wollongong rather than heading further south to Kiama.
It is understood both styles of carriages have a similar seating capacity.
Transport for NSW said load data suggested most customers will get a seat for the majority of their trip regardless of whether a Tangara or Oscar is used on the service.
“The duration of the trip from Central to Wollongong is similar to some of the longer customer journeys undertaken on the suburban network,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.
“Details of these changes will be shared with customers well in advance.
“Transport for NSW is continuing to look at ways to further improve connectivity for customers on the South Coast.”
The changes will not take place until January 7 due to the need to calculate changes to staffing levels, power supply and other requirements.
The Transport for NSW spokesman said the effect on the broader rail network also needed to be assessed.
The extra carriages being added to the four-car trains is the result of a long-running commuter campaign.