After years of construction and testing, Parramatta gets its light rail

The opening of the delayed first stage of the Parramatta light rail on Friday was a subdued affair, but locals have heralded the service as a new era for the western Sydney CBD.

The $2.875 billion new line, which runs 12 kilometres between Westmead and Carlingford via Parramatta Square, was cleared to operate by the rail safety regulator on Tuesday.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen – who has spent the week attempting to avoid a New Year’s Eve shutdown of Sydney’s train network in a stand-off with rail unions – boarded the first service from Carlingford just before 5am joined by dozens of locals and train gunzels.

The first service filled out with a rush of passengers, but there was no fight for seats during the morning peak: half of those onboard were Transport for NSW staff riding the service for the first time or customer service officials there to welcome passengers.

Repeated delays, construction issues and cost blowouts have dogged the Parramatta light-rail project since it was first announced in 2015.

The light rail winds through the Parramatta CBD.Credit: Janie Barrett

The former Coalition government had promised the first section of the line would open last year, and the targeted opening date was pushed back again this year.

But the delays were back of mind for commuters experiencing the journey for the first time on Friday. Three-year-old Beau couldn’t stop grinning as he rode through Parramatta CBD with his family.

Beau, 3, Eliott, 6, and their parents, Jemma and Patrick took the journey on the first day of the service’s opening.Credit: Janie Barrett

Patrick, Beau’s father, said the family had just moved to Parramatta, attracted by new infrastructure in the area.

“There’s a lot of infrastructure and architecture projects,” he said.

“There’s the Powerhouse, obviously, and the [award-winning PHIVE] library, they’re going to redo the Riverside Theatre, there’s the Aquatic Centre. And, by the time everything’s done, there’s going to be train, light rail, bus, metro and ferry.”

Hang Lam from My-Hung Fabric Fashion store, said business was slow during construction.Credit: Janie Barrett

The opening surprised Hang Lam, whose My Hung Fabric Shop is in front of the Church Street light-rail stop. She hoped the commuters brought to the area would help revitalise trade after five years of construction and testing.

“Before COVID it was good, but after, they locked the street, covered everything in material ... It was a lot of construction, and very dirty, unhealthy, with the smell of chemicals if it was a windy day or the dust was blowing,” she said.

“They locked the street up and down there, so now the customers forget this street. They only remember [nearby Parramatta] Westfield. Westfield is safe.”

The state government this year confirmed the second stage of the line – from Camellia, east of Parramatta, to Sydney Olympic Park – would go ahead, with early construction to begin next year.

Telopea local Betsy Kwong used the light rail to get to Parramatta Square before taking the train to the Sydney CBD. She was thrilled with her first journey, four minutes quicker than before.

“Everything is very modern, it’s very different from 13 years ago when Parramatta was very dirty and very old, but now look at it. It’s so modern. A very good experience.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.