Parramatta’s long-delayed light-rail line cleared for opening

The first stage of Parramatta’s new light-rail project has finally received regulatory approval to carry passengers, clearing the way for services to begin along the 12-kilometre line shortly.

After repeated delays, the national rail safety regulator confirmed it had given approval on Tuesday for the operation of passenger services on the $2.875 billion line, which runs through the heart of the Parramatta CBD.

The first stage of the Parramatta light rail line was originally meant to open last year.Credit: Kate Geraghty

A spokesperson for the regulator said the starting date was a decision for the Transdev-led consortium, which has the state government contract to operate the trams.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the government welcomed the national rail safety regulator’s approval of Parramatta light rail but declined to say when services would start.

Following repeated delays, Parramatta City Council had been urging the state government to provide an expected timeline of operations.

Under the previous Coalition government’s plans, the first stage of the line between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD was slated to open last year.

The Minns Labor government later targeted an opening in the middle of this year before it was forced to push out the planned first service towards the end of 2024.

Last month, the project risked further delay after an electrical wire fell on a light-rail vehicle during trials, halting testing for almost a fortnight.

The cost of the first stage blew out by $475 million in 2022. The Minns government this year committed to pressing ahead with a second stage of the line, which will extend for 10 kilometres from Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park.

Transport for NSW has estimated the entire cost of the two stages at $6.8 billion – the equivalent of two CBD and southeast light-rail projects.

The CBD and southeast light-rail line opened more than four years ago at a cost of $3.1 billion – almost double the original forecast of $1.6 billion – following lengthy construction delays and legal battles.

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