Hundreds of extra weekly services are set to be added to Sydney's train network, including Wollongong lines, through an additional $1 billion investment from the state government.
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The total cost of the More Trains More Services program, which was promised at the 2019 state election, will increase to $5.3 billion, Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said on Wednesday.
"One billion dollars in funding ensures we're future-proofing the existing rail network to keep pace with demand, but at the same time getting on with the job of building the next stages of Metro," he said.
"Moving Bankstown Line services to the new standalone metro system removes an existing bottleneck and frees up capacity to deliver more services on other lines where it's needed."
Key service improvements for customers as part of the program will include:
- More services on the South Coast Line, meaning a service every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes in the peak, and a service every 30 minutes instead of every hour between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD in the off-peak.
- More services for the T8 Airport Line, including an 80 per cent increase at the International, Domestic, Mascot and Green Square stations during the morning peak, as well as extra services from Revesby and Campbelltown in south west Sydney.
- A 30 per cent increase in peak services on the T4 Illawarra Line, with extra services from Cronulla, Waterfall and Hurstville, providing space to carry 6,000 more customers.
- More services on the T2 Inner West Line, with an extra four services in the morning peak hour providing space for more than 4,800 more customers.
Previous announcements were for a 60 per cent increase in peak period services on the T8 Line and 20 per cent on the T4 line.
Mr Constance said, during the key infrastructure upgrades, additional train fleet will also be delivered to enable the service improvements across the network.
"Further information about these two aspects are still being finalised as part of the full program of work," he said.
"The additional funding will build on improvements already planned across parts of the train network, providing more space for tens of thousands of train customers.
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said in a statement the extra services on the T4 line would accommodate an additional 6000 passengers in busy periods.
Miranda MP Eleni Petinos said, "The Berejiklian government is committed to improving the public transport experience for shire commuters. More services means less time spent waiting on platforms and decreased crowding on trains."
Heathcote MP Lee Evans: "This is a big win for customers. We're making strong investment in the network to ensure there is capacity to meet current and future demand."
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Murray Trembath
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
