Sydney Trains network to be controlled from a central engine room, costing $276 million

A $276 MILLION “nerve centre” will soon control the Sydney Trains network from one location for the first time in history. See the pictures.

Artist's impression of the proposed Sydney Trains Rail Operations Centre at Green Square

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A $276 million “nerve centre” will soon control the Sydney Trains network from one location for the first time in history.

Five control centres will be merged into the state-of-the-art Rail Operations Centre in Green Square, set to open in 2018, to reduce delays on the network.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said there are now separate control centres to manage trains, disruptions, tracks, security and customer communication.

“This new centre will ultimately improve train reliability for customers and, when there are delays, information will be communicated much more quickly,” Mr Constance said.

Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins said the rail network was underperforming because of outdated technology and separate command centres.

“At the moment we manage the trains and tracks, respond to incidents, communicate with customers and monitor their safety from different locations and in different ways,” Mr Collins said.

He said the new nerve centre would ensure all relevant staff would be informed the moment the issue is reported and because they will all be in the same location, receiving more information. “They can ensure the best response to get our customers moving again,” he said.

Five control centres will be merged into the state-of-the-art Rail Operations Centre in Green Square, set to open in 2018, to reduce delays on the network / Picture: Supplied

The Sydney Trains Rail Operations Centre is a $276 million investment / Picture: Supplied