Changes to Sydney train timetable means more slow services from Lidcombe, Granville

A shake-up of the train timetable has been deemed another slap in the face for western Sydney commuters hoping for the return of express services, with critics warning the “ramifications are massive”.

Long-suffering Granville train commuters waiting for the return of express city services will have to be more patient and endure slower journeys when the Sydney timetable shake-up begins.

The changes have prompted a Labor MP to be at loggerheads with her party’s transport minister who made a pre-election vow to reinstate fast trains.

From Sunday, more frequent stops will be made along the T2 city-bound services while the metro conversion project gets under way and buses replace trains between Bankstown and Sydenham.

The changes mean Lidcombe and Granville passengers will have to put up with even slower journeys stopping at more inner west stations – two which sit in Transport Minister Jo Haylen’s Summer Hill electorate.

Some services stop at Macdonaldtown, infamous for being one of Sydney’s quietest stations.

“I don’t know a single person from Granville who gets off the train at Macdonaldtown or Newtown,’’ Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn said.

Granville train station is busy but is overlooked for express city services.

“Morning peaks are really slow and long anyway.

“It’s just the trains that are not so bad will be as bad. It’s not going to get better.

“It drives me mad too.’’

Granville commuters have endured a lack of express services for seven years when the Liberals axed express trains to the city.

“This timetable is a missed opportunity to provide Granville and Lidcombe with TI western line express services during the week,’’ transport advocate Roydon Ng said.

A “frustrated ” Ms Finn has disagreed with Ms Haylen, with whom she visited Granville train station a month ahead of the March 2023 election to promise the return of express services.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Granville MP Julia Finn at Granville train station in February 2023 when they promised to bring back express services. Picture: Facebook

A spokesman for Ms Haylen said Granville would continue to receive “high frequency services” under the new timetable.

“Throughout the day, passengers at Granville will be able to get a train every 10 minutes and during the peak they will be able to get a train every five minutes,’’ he said.

But of the 12 peak services from Granville to Central between 8am and 9am, four require commuters to change trains at Parramatta and cross platforms to reach the city for a fast service. Lidcombe commuters have to change trains at Strathfield for a fast service.

Unit towers surround Granville train station.

Thousands of commuters also surround Lidcombe train station.

The spokesman said timetable adjustments meant more passengers from southwest Sydney could receive reliable train services while the Bankstown metro conversion got underway.

“That’s why we are delivering the T6 line from Bankstown to Lidcombe and the T3 Liverpool and inner west line,’’ he said.

“These changes do mean that train numbers along the inner west corridor will increase, so T2 trains will be making more stops at more stations.’’

Transport for NSW planning, analysis and engagement director Jessica Bennett said the timetable responded to passenger demand and services often had to go slower for signalling purposes.

She said while more than 30 T1 services would run to and from Lidcombe to the city, they would only operate outside of peak periods because of infrastructure constraints.

“We are running close to network capacity in the AM peak so it’s very challenging to add stops,’’ she said.

“The infrastructure is really being stressed so it’s very challenging to add stops to those services.’’

The quiet Macdonaldtown train station. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Cumberland Liberal councillor Joseph Rahme, who represents the Granville ward, slammed the timetable changes.

“I believe that the new timetable that’s going to happen on Sunday is the worst it’s even been for our region,’’ he said.

He said a journey from Granville to Town Hall station in 2006 was 28 minutes but from Monday would take 44 minutes – the equivalent of boarding a service from Blacktown station.

“I’ve caught the train since the early 2000s and the experience now is chalk and cheese,’’ he said. “I dread catching the train

“There were promises made at numerous state elections that this would improve and it’s only getting worse.

“Granville was the epicentre because of the large parking and because of the close proximity people always came from Merrylands and Granville, so the ramifications are massive.

“It stops people coming into the Granville CBD, it has ramifications for small businesses and house prices. Where does it stop?’’

Overlooking services is expected to create more of a headache at Lidcombe, already a densely populated suburb slated to be unzoned under the government’s transport-oriented development program.

“If you’re going to do that hand-in-hand – building more units – increase services,’’ Cr Rahme said.

“It makes more sense.’’

Ms Haylen’s spokesman said while more trains would stop at Summer Hill and Ashfield, in the minister’s electorate, three stations in her seat – Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville – were shut while the metro project got under way for 12 months.

“There are more services on the inner west line because the T3 Liverpool line now runs along the western line corridor, ensuring commuters from stations like Chester Hill, Sefton and Regents Park continue to have direct services to the city,’’ he said.

Asked whether she believed her party was taking Granville for granted, Ms Finn said there was “no such thing as a safe seat’’.

“I work incredibly hard and, yes, I find this frustrating and I certainly don’t take Granville for granted,” she said.

“I don’t think the people of Granville should be taken for granted, and I’m still fighting to have better train services.’’

Originally published as Changes to Sydney train timetable means more slow services from Lidcombe, Granville