At long last: The problem child of Sydney’s transport arrives

They doubled in cost to $4bn, suffered union-driven delays, and sat in storage for five years. Finally, commuters between Newcastle and Sydney have a shiny new intercity train service.

They cost double their original price tag, suffered enormous delays and became a political football during major industrial action, but Sydney’s new Mariyung train fleet is — finally — up and running.

The Korean-made trains transported its first passengers from Newcastle at 8.21am on Tuesday, passing 20 stops including Wyong, Hornsby, Epping, Strathfield and the final location at Central Station.

For regular commuters from the Hunter and Central Coast, who have tolerated ageing train sets with poor facilities, the new models are a dramatic improvement.

Made in Korea, the carriages offer comfortable seating, charging ports, toilets, enhanced disability access and dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles.

Newcastle and Central Coast passengers were the first to enjoy Sydney Trains' new Mariyung train which rolled out of Newcastle Interchange on Tuesday on its first-ever passenger service. Pictures: Supplied

“It couldn’t have come sooner. The customer feedback is fantastic,” Transport for NSW’s Howard Collins told The Daily Telegraph.

Mr Collins was the senior bureaucrat who personally signed the inaugural contract for the new intercity fleet back in 2015.

This masthead boarded the first train from Central Station at 11.20am, from a platform crowded with people keen to experience Sydney’s newest toy.

“It’s such a smooth ride. Very comfortable seats and cool airconditioning,” Mark, a regular on the morning service, said.

Other passengers marvelled at the spacious luggage areas.

To say these trains have had issues is the understatement of the century.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland joined hundreds of train fans to welcome the new service.

First announced 10 years ago, it was discovered the trains were too wide for tunnels around the Blue Mountains.

In 2021, this masthead revealed doors on the new fleet “would fail” and “deflect outwards” if opened or closed at speed, according to a confidential report.

During an industrial dispute with the rail union, the former Coalition government was also forced to agree to expensive modifications surrounding the CCTV and doors.

The inaugural service arrives at Sydney’s Central Station.

NSW budget papers show taxpayers have already spent $3.06 billion on the new fleet, with another $973 million allocated to the project.

Some of the train sets have been sitting in storage on the Central Coast for almost five years.

‘BAD EPISODE OF YES MINISTER’

Former Transport Minister David Elliott, who handled the major 2022 union dispute, on Tuesday described the Mariyung saga as a “bad episode of Yes Minister that wouldn’t end”.

Despite the shocking delays, there is still a long way to go.

On Tuesday, only two 8-carriage sets made a total of four trips.

Taxpayers have funded 98 carriages in total.

More of the new trains will be added between Newcastle and Sydney in the coming months, before the Mariyung extends to the Blue Mountains line by the end of 2025.

Trips to the South Coast will follow.

Speaking at Central Station, Transport Minister Jo Haylen said there were “lessons we need to learn” from the former Coalition government in regards to “buying an overseas-made, off the shelf product … not designed for our conditions or our operating model”

“The taxpayers and passengers lose out.” Ms Haylen said.

Originally published as At long last: The problem child of Sydney’s transport arrives