Fast train vision will cut Central to Gosford commute to 25 minutes

Travel times between Sydney and Newcastle could be slashed to one hour, while travelling to Gosford would take just 25 minutes under a NSW government ‘fast rail’ vision.

Premier Dominic Perrottet unveiled his vision for overhauling rail travel as the state government confirmed a $500 million commitment in the upcoming NSW Budget to upgrade the Sydney to Central Coast link.

The NSW government had initially committed the funding as part of a billion-dollar joint state and federal Coalition government proposal.

Instead, the government will now work with the Albanese government on the project, with $500 million set aside in the upcoming June Budget.

The plan will involve upgrading the Tuggerah-Wyong rail link, with the construction of new electrified tracks, station upgrades, and rail bridges over the Wyong River.

Site investigations will begin at the end of this year.

Mr Perrottet said the investment would improve reliability and increase capacity in the rail network to deliver better services close to home for people living on the Central Coast.

“We’re committed to a rail network that helps shape our state’s growth for the next century, starting with the immediate improvements to cut delays and lay the foundations for making faster travel times a reality,” he said.

Artist’s impression of fast rail from Gosford.

“The investment will improve reliability and increase capacity in the rail network, helping deliver better services closer to home for the people on the Central Coast as we plan for a brighter future.”

Labor made its pledge in January this year, promising $500 million in its first budget towards establishing a new High-Speed Rail Authority that would prioritise the Sydney to Newcastle line, via the Central Coast.

Pending the Albanese government matching the NSW contribution, construction on the Central Coast to Sydney link is understood to be able to begin as early as 2025.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the commitment would also involve planning for the further development of the line.

“This will create tens of thousands of jobs and deliver a brighter future for the people of NSW,” he said.

“We’re committing $500 million towards early works, planning and further development of the line that will initially minimise delays and eventually allow high-speed travel and drastically cut travel times.”

The project will address bottlenecks, doubling capacity on the existing rail alignment, and improving speed and reliability.

Crucially, it will enable express passenger services to overtake all-stop passenger services and freight trains.

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