Parramatta pushing for light rail project to supercharge region

It can take 50 minutes to travel 10km into Parramatta. Now business groups and strung out families are begging the government to lock in a project first promised five years ago.

Every time Jyoti Yadav and her family drive to Parramatta they are reminded there is only one road in and out of Wentworth Point.

While the number of apartments along Parramatta River has exploded in the past decade, the public transport options have not kept up.

If she wants to go by bus and/or train it takes 50 minutes, while a car can take that same amount of time – even though Ms Yadav lives just 10km from Parramatta.

Now, the mother of two and a ­chorus of Parramatta’s biggest players are calling on the state government to get on with building Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

Jyoti Yadav with husband Anand Tamboli and kids Aadi and Manasvi at Wentworth Point. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“The traffic and transport options here are an absolute nightmare,” Ms Yadav said. “Everyone agrees that we need a light rail system.”

In a letter to Transport Minister David Elliott this week, Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said the rail connection would be a “game-changer” for the city’s west.

“Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will provide the opportunity for suburbs such as Rydalmere and Ermington to be transformed into vibrant connected communities,” Mr Borger, ­Parramatta Council, NRMA, the Property Council, Western Sydney University and others wrote.

Transport minister David Elliott said the business case is yet Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“Growing suburbs like Melrose Park and Wentworth Point need to be supported by a public transport network that will provide access to jobs and amenities and alleviate congestion on local roads.”

The project was first announced in 2017, with the government saying “a final business case for Stage 2 is expected to be completed in 2018”.

The Saturday Telegraph understands the government is considering local options to build the trains, avoiding concerns the fleet will crack like those on the Inner West line have.

NSW opposition transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said this week “the only way to ensure a quality product for passengers and value for taxpayers is to build our trams, trains, buses and ferries right here in Australia”.

Mr Elliott said: “The NSW government has allocated $50m for the development of a final business case for Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail.

“An investment decision … will be considered by the government once the business case has been completed.”