State Government adds 1500 weekly train services to free up Sydney network choking points
COMMUTERS will spend less time waiting at platforms, in what the State Government is describing as, a once-in-a-generation change to the Sydney train network that will see an extra 1500 train services each week across the network.
Parramatta
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EXTRA train services announced at Parramatta this morning will help alleviate choking points in the existing Sydney network.
The State Government announced an extra 1500 train services each week across the network. Half of them will be added for the benefit of weekend commuters. One minister said it was almost a “turn up and go” service.
Parramatta train station, during peak travel times, will have a train arriving every three minutes.
There will be 20 express services in the peak. And, there will be direct access to Parramatta for Inner West customers on weekdays.
Overall, there will be a 40 per cent increase to weekly services stopping at Parramatta.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance likened the existing train network to a big bowl of spaghetti.
And it is Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink chief executive Howard Collins’ job to untangle it.
The first step is the 1500 extra services across the Sydney network.
Mr Constance said the $1.5 billion deal was one of the biggest train announcements in a generation.
The boost is on the back of increased train use with a 10 per cent rise in patronage last year alone.
“ ... And we’re expecting a further 21 per cent growth in demand for train services by 2021,” he said.
He said by increasing services people would spend less time waiting on a platform.
“It’s almost a turn up and go service.”
Mr Collins said with 1.3 million journeys a day on the Sydney network, Parramatta was key to the development.
“Platform one will have a train every three minutes (during peak),” he said.
“This is even more exciting than running the Tube in London. In a few years time we will have two million people on the network.”
Others to benefit in Sydney’s west and south west include Penrith where it will have a 22 per cent service uplift and a 92 per cent increase in services to stations like Leppington and Edmondson Park.
There will be a new fast service between Liverpool and the Sydney CBD on the T3 Bankstown line.
The last big boost to train services was in October 2013, when an additional 1000 services were added to the Sydney network each week.
Prior to services changing, information will be posted online and Sydney Trains 10,000 staff will be updated and trained. Commuters will be notified six weeks ahead of the changes with an updated timetable.
Geoff Lee said the additional services would go some way in alleviating the packed trains during peak hour.
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ALL ABOARD
● 71 per cent of stations will receive a minimum 15-minute service frequency most of the day
● 40 per cent increase in the number of weekly services stopping at Parramatta
● 22 per cent increase in services stopping at Penrith
● New fast service between Liverpool and the CBD
● Southwest Sydney to receive a 92 per cent increase in services, including Leppington and Edmondson Park
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