Parramatta to Central station in 15 minutes will be possible on existing heavy rail

PARRAMATTA has the potential to become Sydney’s new ‘Central’ if the State Government commits to halving the current train journey to just 15 minutes.

Overcrowded trains from Parra

PARRAMATTA has the potential to become the new ‘Central’ of the Sydney metropolitan area if the State Government commits to halving the current train journey to a mere 15 minutes.

Parramatta Council chief executive Greg Dyer told a recent forum of the city’s movers and shakers that he believes it can be done.

The key to unlocking the transport revolution for Parramatta is the Sydney Metro Southwest train project, in which driverless trains will run on the Bankstown line within a decade.

Commuters try to get on board a city-bound train at Parramatta station.

According to Mr Dyer, this Metro project will create significant additional capacity which should be devoted to the heavy rail Western Line.

“It’s transformational,” Mr Dyer said.

“With existing rolling stock and existing technology, on the current heavy rail network you can physically get from Central Station to Parramatta within a 15-minute time frame, stopping at Strathfield.

“The distances aren’t great. We’re talking 30km of rail line and, if you think about the capacities for the current rolling stock, they are easily capable of doing 110km/h. The numbers make sense.”

The Metro Southwest trains could create more capacity on the heavy rail Western Line.

And if the State and Federal governments commit to creating rail links for Badgerys Creek, there would be compelling logic to have it come through Parramatta.

Speaking at the Committee for Economic Development conference, Mr Dyer said Parramatta was located at the geographic and demographic centre of Sydney.

“It’s time for a shift in perception about Parramatta’s place in the global Sydney story,” he said.

“Parramatta is not simply just another western Sydney suburb. Parramatta is the dual CBD at the very centre of global Sydney.

“We are the new Central.”

Parramatta Council chief executive Greg Dyer (left) believes the time it takes between Parramatta and Sydney’s CBD can be significantly reduced.

Fifteen years from now Parramatta will be one of the great cities of Australia, Mr Dyer told the conference.

“In Parramatta you’ll find coffee as good as any you’d drink in Surry Hills, an expansive array of restaurants and one of Australia’s largest shopping malls.

“And by 2030 the city will have benefited from the biggest growth spurt Australia has ever seen.”