Sydney Trains | |||
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![]() B set trains near Summer Hill station | |||
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Overview | |||
Owner | Transport for NSW | ||
Locale | Greater Sydney | ||
Transit type | Suburban rail Regional rail | ||
Number of lines | 9 | ||
Line number | T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9 | ||
Number of stations | 154 | ||
Annual ridership | 302 million (FY 2023–2024) | ||
Chief executive | Matt Longland | ||
Website | Transport for NSW: Sydney Trains | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | 1 July 2013 | ||
Number of vehicles | 240 8-carriage trains | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 355.5 km (220.9 mi) | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
Electrification | 1,500 V DC from overhead catenary | ||
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Sydney Trains is the brand name and operator of suburban and intercity train services in and around Greater Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.
The metropolitan part of the network is a hybrid urban-suburban rail system with a central underground core that covers 369 km (229 mi) of route length over 813 km (505 mi) of track, with 168 stations on nine lines. [1]
Within Sydney, the network has frequencies of 5–10 minutes during peak-time at most inner-city and major stations, and 15 minutes off-peak at most minor stations. During the weekday peak, train services are more frequent. [2]
The network is managed by Transport for NSW and is part of its Opal ticketing system. In 2023–24, 302 million passenger journeys were made on the suburban network, making it the most-used rail network in Australia. [1]
In May 2012, the Minister for Transport announced a restructure of RailCorp, the organisation that owned and managed the metropolitan rail network and operated passenger services throughout New South Wales. [3] [4] [5] [6] Two new organisations were created to take over the operation of the services from 1 July 2013. Sydney Trains acquired all suburban services in the Sydney metropolitan area bounded by Berowra, Emu Plains, Macarthur and Waterfall from RailCorp's CityRail division. Intercity and Hunter Line services previously operated by CityRail were taken over by NSW Trains (branded as NSW TrainLink). [7] RailCorp remained the owner of the network infrastructure. When first created as subsidiaries of RailCorp, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains were not controlled entities of RailCorp, but were instead controlled by Transport for NSW. [8] In July, they ceased to be subsidiaries of RailCorp and became independent standalone agencies in July 2017. [9] [10]
On 21 August 2023, it was announced that the majority of NSW TrainLink's intercity operations would be transferred to Sydney Trains, including rolling stock, maintenance, operations, stations, and staff. This would also include the modifications, testing, and introduction of the New Intercity Fleet (NIF). [11]
A process of transferring intercity services from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains began in 2023. [12] Intercity services were taken under the responsibility of Sydney Trains from 1 July 2024. [13] [14]
In July 2013, Howard Collins OBE , the former Chief Operating Officer of London Underground, was appointed as Chief Executive of Sydney Trains. [15] Stewart Mills was appointed Acting Chief Executive in February 2020, succeeded by Suzanne Holden as Acting Chief Executive in June 2020. In June 2021, Matt Longland was appointed as Chief Executive. [16]
In addition to operating suburban train services, Sydney Trains maintains the New South Wales Metropolitan Rail Area and maintains all but a handful of operational railway stations in the state.
Sydney Trains operates nine electric suburban lines across Sydney.
In conjunction with a new timetable released on 20 October 2013, the Sydney Trains network was reorganised with a new numbering system. The number of lines was reduced from eleven to seven (now nine) by merging several lines.
An eighth line was created on 26 November 2017 by splitting the T2 line into two separate lines: T2 and T8. T5 services were also modified to no longer travel to and from Campbelltown, instead starting and terminating at Leppington. [17]
From 28 April 2019, the section of the T1 line between Gordon and Hornsby via Strathfield was renumbered as T9, whilst the portion between Berowra and Richmond or Emu Plains via Chatswood and Parramatta remained as T1. [18]
The first expansion of the Sydney suburban network after the restructuring of CityRail into Sydney Trains occurred in 2015 when the South West Rail Link opened between Glenfield and Leppington.
From 2018, some sections of the network began to be transferred to the city's metro and light rail networks.
The Epping to Chatswood Rail Link between Chatswood and Epping was closed for conversion in September 2018 to form part of the Sydney Metro Northwest project, which opened as the Metro North West Line in May 2019. [19] [20]
The Carlingford Line between Clyde and Carlingford closed on 5 January 2020 and is expected to form part of the Parramatta Light Rail network from mid-2024. [21] The adjacent section of track between Clyde and Camellia, including Rosehill railway station, also became disused. [22]
From 19 October 2024, the T6 Line became the Bankstown to Lidcombe shuttle (Lidcombe & Bankstown Line), with commuters interchanging at Regents Park or Lidcombe for connecting services to Liverpool or City Circle. [23]
The section of the Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will form part of Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, which is due to open as the Metro North West & Bankstown Line in 2025. [24]
Line colour, number and name | Between | |
---|---|---|
North Shore & Western Line | ||
Leppington & Inner West Line | ||
Liverpool & Inner West Line | City Circle and Liverpool via Lidcombe and Regents Park. | |
Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line | Bondi Junction and Waterfall or Cronulla via Central. | |
Cumberland Line | Schofields and Leppington. Limited services continue from Schofields to Richmond. | |
Lidcombe & Bankstown Line | Bankstown and Lidcombe | |
Olympic Park Line | Lidcombe and Olympic Park. Some services operate between Central and Olympic Park, particularly during special events, such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show. | |
Airport & South Line | City Circle and Macarthur via Revesby and either Sydenham (peak) or Airport | |
Northern Line | Hornsby and Gordon via Strathfield and City |
The main hub of the Sydney Trains system is Central Station, which most lines pass through. Central is also the terminus of most NSW TrainLink lines. After leaving Central, trains coming from the T2 Leppington & Inner West Line, T3 Liverpool and Inner West Line and T8 Airport & South Line then travel through the City Circle – a ring line beneath the Sydney central business district. After completing the City Circle, these trains pass through Central for a second time and return to the suburbs. The T1 North Shore & Western, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra and T9 Northern lines pass through the central business district and continue to other areas of Sydney. The T5 Cumberland Line serves Western Sydney and provides access to the major centre of Parramatta from the southwest of the city without requiring a change of trains at Granville. The T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line is a suburban shuttle service. The T7 Olympic Park Line is a suburban shuttle service.
NightRide bus services established in 1989, replace trains between midnight and 4:30 am, leaving the tracks clear of trains for maintenance work. Such bus services mainly stop near stations operating typically at hourly intervals (some routes depart more frequently on weekends). Many services depart the city from bus stops near Town Hall station. [25] NightRide services are contracted to external bus operators and are identified by route numbers beginning with "N".
Sydney Trains operates a fleet of double-deck electric multiple units. The trainsets are divided into the following classes:
Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Carriages | Entered service | Formation | Routes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km/h | mph | |||||||
K sets | ![]() | Electric multiple unit | 115 | 71 | 160 | 1981–1985 | 4 cars | |
T sets | ![]() | 115 | 71 | 447 | 1988–1995 | |||
M sets | ![]() | 130 | 81 | 140 | 2002–2005 | |||
H sets | ![]() | 130 | 81 | 220 | 2006–2012 | |||
A sets | ![]() | 130 | 81 | 626 | 2011–2014 | 8 cars | ||
B sets | ![]() | 130 | 81 | 328 | 2018–2021 |
Though primarily operated on intercity lines, some H sets are also used on suburban services, and with the delivery of the D sets for operations on intercity lines in 2024, most of the sets will be transferred to suburban services.
All A, B and M sets are maintained by Downer Rail. Their contract for the M sets was extended by 10 years from June 2017. [26] All other types of trains including the V and H sets are maintained by UGL Unipart. The contract with UGL Unipart was extended for two years from 1 July 2019. [27]
The Sydney Trains network is divided into three sectors, based around three maintenance depots. [28] Trainsets are identified by target plates, which are exhibited on the front lower nearside of driving carriages. [29] Each target plate includes the letter of the class the set belongs to and the number of the individual set. Waratahs do not have a target plate, but instead, have the information written directly on the front of the train. The composition and formations of train sets and the target designations are subject to alteration. M sets and H sets carry green target plates.
Sector # | Depot | Serviced lines | Target plate | Sets being maintained |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mortdale | T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line Intercity services on the South Coast Line | Red (T) | T, H |
Green (H) | ||||
2 | Flemington | T2 Inner West & Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T5 Cumberland, T7 Olympic Park and T8 Airport & South Lines Intercity services on Blue Mountains Line and Central Coast & Newcastle Line (V sets only) | Blue | K, V |
3 | Hornsby | T1 North Shore & Western and T9 Northern Lines Intercity services on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line (H sets only) | Black (T) | T, H, A |
Green (H) | ||||
— | Auburn Maintrain | UGL Unipart carry out maintenance at the various depots to which the trains are allocated but major work may be carried out at Auburn Maintrain. | — | All except A, B and M |
Auburn | All A, B and M sets are stabled at the depot for the sector in which they operate but are maintained at Auburn by Downer Rail. | Stickers only (A, B) | A, B, M | |
Green (M) |
Intercity Trains [30] services operate to a distance approximately 200 kilometres (124 mi) from Sydney, bounded by Dungog in the north, Scone in the north-west, Bathurst to the west, Goulburn in the south-west and Bomaderry to the south.
Electric services extend from Sydney north to Newcastle, west to Lithgow and south to Port Kembla and Kiama. Most electric services originate from or terminate at Central.
Diesel trains serve the more distant or less populated parts of the Intercity network. Hunter Line services operate from Newcastle to Telarah with some extending to Dungog and Scone. Southern Highlands Line services operate between Campbelltown and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to Sydney and Goulburn. Diesel services also operate on the South Coast Line between Kiama and Bomaderry. The Bathurst Bullet provides a twice daily, limited stop service between Sydney and Bathurst.
Line colour and name | Between | Electric services | Map |
---|---|---|---|
Central and Lithgow with limited services to Bathurst | to Lithgow | ![]() | |
Central and Newcastle | Yes | ![]() | |
Newcastle and Telarah with limited services to Dungog or Scone | No | ![]() | |
Central a and Bomaderry or Port Kembla | to Kiama and Port Kembla | ![]() | |
Campbelltown b and Moss Vale with limited services to Goulburn | No | ![]() |
Class | Image | Type | Service Speed | Carriage Numbers | Lines | Built | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km/h | mph | ||||||
V set | ![]() | Electric multiple unit | 115 | 71 | 196 | 1970–1989 | |
T set | ![]() | 447 (shared with suburban lines) | (between Waterfall and Port Kembla) | 1987–1995 | |||
Endeavour railcar | ![]() | Diesel railcars | 145 | 90 | 28 | (Bathurst Bullet and between Lithgow and Bathurst)(between Kiama and Bomaderry) | 1994–1996 |
Hunter railcar | ![]() | 14 | 2006–2007 | ||||
H set | ![]() | Electric multiple unit | 130 | 81 | 221 (shared with suburban lines) | 2006–2012 | |
D set | ![]() | Electric multiple unit | 130 | 81 | 610 (being built) | 2019–present |
The V sets are maintained at Flemington Maintenance Depot.
Class | Image | Type | Service Speed | Carriage Numbers | Lines | Built | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km/h | mph | ||||||
R set | ![]() | Bi-mode multiple unit | 160 | 99 | 117 (to be built) | (Bathurst Bullet and between Lithgow and Bathurst)(between Kiama and Bomaderry) | 2026/27 (scheduled) |
A fleet of 610 D set carriages will be introduced to the intercity network. They will replace the V sets and allow the H sets to be transferred to suburban services. The first was delivered in December 2019. [31] [32] [33] The D sets will be maintained at a new facility at Kangy Angy.
A fleet of 30 R Set carriages are being built to replace the Endeavour railcar used on the non-electrified sections of the network. They are expected to enter service in 2026-2027. The R sets will be maintained at a new facility in Dubbo.
Intercity services are considered on-time if they operate within six minutes of their scheduled time. [34] The target is for 92 percent of intercity services to operate on-time. [35]
Quiet carriages are designated carriages where noise made by passengers is requested to be kept to a minimum. Passengers are asked to place mobile phones on silent, move carriages in order to have a conversation with another passenger and use headphones when listening to music. [36]
Quiet carriages are on Intercity services are located in four carriages on eight car sets, two carriages on four car sets and one carriage on two car sets. [37]
Quiet carriages were first introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in early 2012 as a three-month trial. On 1 September 2012, quiet carriages were permanently introduced and expanded to all intercity services operating on the Blue Mountains and South Coast Line. [36]
The following table lists patronage figures for the network during the corresponding financial year. Australia's financial years start on 1 July and end on 30 June. Major events that affected the number of journeys made or how patronage is measured are included as notes (for example, patronage was severely affected during the Coronavirus pandemic).
Year | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023-24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patronage (millions) | 282.2 [a] | 291.9 [b] | 322 | 340.7 [c] | 359.2 | 377.1 [d] | 282.0 [e] [f] | 186.3 [f] | 135.5 [f] | 259 [38] | 302 |
References | [39] | [40] | [41] | [42] | [43] | [1] |
86,736,689 | ||
47,048,199 | ||
20,178,194 | [n.b. 2] | |
54,802,802 | ||
8,028,853 | ||
– | [n.b. 3] | |
1,345,017 | ||
37,691,564 | ||
22,303,028 |
Mode | Patronage | % of total |
---|---|---|
![]() Metro | 23,297,166 | 4.02 |
![]() Train | 278,134,346 | 47.93 |
![]() Bus | 220,944,633 | 38.08 |
![]() Ferry | 17,270,282 | 2.98 |
![]() Light rail | 40,598,539 | 6.99 |
Total | 580,244,966 | 100.00 |
Sydney Trains currently uses the Opal card ticketing system, which was introduced to the network in April 2014. [46] The fare system is fully integrated – trips involving suburban, metro and intercity services are calculated as a single fare and there is no interchange penalty. Students who use the Sydney Trains network to get to and from schools can apply for a free school Opal card. Opal is also valid on bus, ferry, and light rail services but separate fares apply for these modes. The following table lists Opal fares for reusable smartcards and single-trip tickets: [47]
As of 1 Jul 24 | 0–10 km | 10–20 km | 20–35 km | 35–65 km | 65 km+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult cards & contactless (peak) | $4.20 | $5.22 | $6.01 | $8.03 | $10.33 |
Adult cards & contactless (off-peak) | $2.94 | $3.65 | $4.20 | $5.62 | $7.23 |
Other cards (peak) | $2.10 | $2.61^ | $3.00^ | $4.01^ | $5.16^ |
Other cards (off-peak) | $1.47 | $1.82 | $2.10 | $2.80^ | $3.61^ |
Adult single trip | $5.00 | $6.30 | $7.20 | $9.60 | $12.40 |
Child/Youth single trip | $2.50 | $3.10 | $3.60 | $4.80 | $6.20 |
^ = $2.50 for Senior/Pensioner cardholders
A surcharge is levied when using the two privately operated stations serving Sydney Airport:
As of 1 Jul 24 [48] | Adult cards | Other cards |
---|---|---|
Domestic or International Airport to/from all other stations | $17.34 | $15.50 |
Domestic or International Airport to/from Green Square | $11.43 | $11.43 |
Domestic or International Airport to/from Mascot | $9.03 | $9.03 |
Domestic to/from International | $4.70 | $4.70 |
As there are no return or periodical options available, reusable Opal cards include several caps to reduce the cost for frequent travellers:
As of 1 Jul 24 [49] | Adult cards | Other concession cards | Senior/pensioner cards |
---|---|---|---|
Daily Mon–Thu | $18.70 | $9.35 | $2.50 |
Daily Fri, Sat and Sun | $9.35 | $4.65 | $2.50 |
Weekly | $50.00 | $25.00 | $17.50 |
Weekly airport station access fee | $35.16 | $31.51 | $31.51 |
The previous ticketing system was introduced in 1992 and was based on magnetic stripe technology. It was shut down on 1 August 2016. [50]
CityRail was a passenger railway brand operated by the State Rail Authority from 1989 to 2003 and by RailCorp from 2003 to 2013 with services in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities in New South Wales, Australia. It was established in January 1989 and abolished in June 2013 when it was superseded by Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink.
The Cumberland Line is a commuter rail line operated by Sydney Trains in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It connects Schofields and Leppington stations in the western suburbs. Limited services extend from Schofields to Richmond. The line opened in 1996, following the construction of a 'Y-link' track between Harris Park and Merrylands stations. The intention of this link was to allow direct services to operate from the south west suburbs to Parramatta and Blacktown without requiring a change of trains at Granville. The line takes its name from the Cumberland Plain on which much of Western Sydney was built.
Villawood railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Main Southern railway line in the Sydney suburb of Villawood. It is served by Sydney Trains' T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services.
The Central Coast & Newcastle Line (CCN) is an intercity rail service that services the Upper North Shore, Central Coast and Newcastle regions. It connects the two largest cities in New South Wales, running from Central in Sydney along the Main North railway line to Broadmeadow, and to Newcastle Interchange in Newcastle on the Newcastle railway line.
The South Coast Line (SCO) is an intercity rail service that services the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The service runs from Central, and runs the entire length of the eponymous South Coast railway line to Bomaderry. The service also runs along the Eastern Suburbs railway line at peak hours and weekends and the Port Kembla railway line to Port Kembla. It is operated with Sydney Trains H sets and T sets, with Endeavour railcars operating the service on the non-electrified line between Kiama and Bomaderry.
The Southern Highlands Line (SHL) is an intercity rail service that services the Macarthur, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions of New South Wales. First operating in 1869, the service runs from Campbelltown across the Main Southern railway line through to Goulburn, with peak hour services extending the route to Central. The railway service operates alongside a bus route from Picton to Bowral, operating on the route of the Picton – Mittagong loop railway line, and a regional coach service from Bundanoon to Wollongong on the South Coast Line, operating on the corridor of the Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line.
The New South Wales H sets, commonly referred to as the OSCAR trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) currently operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity routes and some Sydney suburban routes. Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow, the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006, with the last in December 2012. Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some second-class V set carriages. As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous Intercity Tangara G sets. Currently operating as 55 four-carriage sets, the H sets now operate between Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast.
Buses account for close to six per cent of trips each day in the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, forming a key part of the city's public transport system. The network initially evolved from a privately operated system of feeder services to railway stations in the outer suburbs, and a publicly operated network of bus services introduced to replace trams in the inner suburbs. The bus network has undergone major reforms since the 2000s–2010s, with the New South Wales Government taking responsibility for route and fare-setting, opening contracts for most routes up to competitive tendering, and introducing more cross-suburban services.
Sydney, the largest city in Australia, has an extensive network of passenger and goods railways. The first railway line in Sydney opened in 1855, becoming part of the Main Suburban railway line and laying the foundation for future expansion.
NightRide is a network of bus routes in operation between midnight and 4.30am in Sydney, Australia. The sixteen routes allow for a nightly shutdown of the Sydney Trains suburban rail network and Sydney Metro. The NightRide network was established in mid-1989 as low-patronage late-night train services were progressively withdrawn.
The government railways of New South Wales, Australia, use a large variety of passenger rolling stock. The first railway in Sydney was opened in 1855 between Sydney and Granville, now a suburb of Sydney but then a major agricultural centre. The railway formed the basis of the New South Wales Government Railways. Passenger and freight services were operated from the beginning. By 1880, there was a half hourly service to Homebush.
NSW TrainLink is a regional train and coach operator in Australia, providing services throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, along with limited interstate services into Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Its primary services are spread across five major rail lines, operating out of Sydney.
Sydney Metro is a fully automated rapid transit rail system in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It currently consists of the Metro North West & Bankstown Line, running between Tallawong and Sydenham and consisting of 21 stations on 52 km (32 mi) of twin tracks, mostly underground. The first stage of the line opened on 26 May 2019, running between Tallawong and Chatswood. This line was extended from Chatswood to Sydenham on 19 August 2024 as part of the first stage of the City & Southwest project. The second stage of the project will then further extend this line to Bankstown as part of a partial conversion of the existing Bankstown railway line with a scheduled completion in 2025.
The Leppington & Inner West Line is a commuter rail service operated by Sydney Trains, serving the inner west and south-western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The service commences from the City Circle, heading west to Granville where the line branches; services either head northwest to Parramatta or south to Leppington. A third terminus at Homebush is also used when the part-time Parramatta branch is not operating.
The Bankstown railway line is a suburban railway which traverses the Inner West and Canterbury-Bankstown areas of Sydney. West of Bankstown it is used by T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown services, while east of Bankstown it is temporarily closed to facilitate conversion for its future use by M1 North West & Bankstown services.
The Olympic Park railway line is a railway line linking the Sydney Olympic Park precinct to the Main Suburban railway line at Flemington and Lidcombe. Originally opened as the Abattoirs branch in 1911, it was rebuilt and reopened as the Olympic Park railway line in 1998. Passenger services have since been running on it as the Olympic Park Line.
The New South Wales D sets, also referred to as the Mariyung trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that operate on Sydney Trains' intercity lines. The sets operate on the Blue Mountains Line, Central Coast & Newcastle Line and South Coast Line services. When all sets enter service as planned, they will replace the outgoing V set fleet, and subsequently allow for the reallocation of the entire H set fleet to Sydney's suburban line services.
The 2010s saw many developments relating to transport in the Australian city of Sydney. The decade saw a substantial investment in infrastructure, including a new airport, motorway projects, light rail lines, Australia's first metro system, the new Waratah fleet and the demise of the non-air conditioned S sets from the rail network. Planning and branding of public transport services became substantially more centralised.
The Lidcombe & Bankstown Line is a commuter rail service operated by Sydney Trains in Sydney, Australia. The service runs between Lidcombe and Bankstown via the Main Southern railway line and the Bankstown railway line.
The Liverpool & Inner West Line is a commuter rail service operated by Sydney Trains in the Inner West and Western suburbs of Sydney. It operates from the City Circle to Liverpool via the Main Suburban railway line to Lidcombe and the Main Southern railway line from there to Liverpool.
From 1 July 2024, the operation of all 'non-booked' services - including the electric fleet, the South Coast and Hunter intercity diesel services, the Bathurst Bullet and Southern Highlands services, and Moss Vale and Lithgow depots - are proposed to transfer to Sydney Trains.
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