Sydney's troubled light rail line set for staged opening to passengers

Sydney's troubled light rail line is set to be opened in stages with the first trams expected to begin carrying passengers from Randwick to Circular Quay in December, followed by the branch line to Kingsford several months later.

Construction of the Randwick branch of the line is the most advanced part of the multibillion-dollar project, and trams have been running from Moore Park to the end at a High Street terminus for several weeks as part of testing.

However, construction of the other branch of the line along Anzac Parade to Kingsford has been dogged by problems and is further behind.

Light rail vehicles at a stabling yard next to Randwick Racecourse have been undergoing testing.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Transport for NSW confirmed that it was in discussions with the consortium overseeing the project about opening the line from Circular Quay to Randwick in December.

The agency said it believed the entire project – including the branch line to Kingsford – could be completed by March next year.

Transdev, which will operate the trams, has begun recruiting the first of up to 100 drivers. They will begin training by the middle of the year on the 67-metre tram sets, which will have seating for 120 people and standing room for 330.

Noise curtains just over a metre away from the well-known Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Despite the likelihood of a staged opening late this year, contractors have missed deadlines to remove large barriers along the 12-kilometre route by last month.

In Surry Hills, barriers still line much of Devonshire Street, three months after they were slated to be removed.

At the Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills, temporary noise curtains are just over a metre from its front door and barriers are everywhere.

Barriers remain along much of Devonshire Street in Surry Hills more than three months after they were supposed to be removed.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Owner David McGuinness said it had been a tough few years for the cafe and other businesses such as the Book Kitchen, which closed almost two years ago.

"It has definitely had an impact on our business but ... a lot of people have really been hurt a lot worse than us," he said.

"We are definitely looking forward to the barriers coming down in the next few weeks. I just try to keep a positive outlook in that it will have a positive impact in the end."

Barriers also remain along large stretches of the southern end of George Street from Town Hall to Chinatown in the CBD, more than a month after all but "localised barriers" were meant to have been removed. In the east at Kingsford, they still stand along parts of Anzac Parade.

The transport project has been marred for the past three years by repeated delays, legal battles, cost blowouts and prolonged disruption to businesses and residents.

Under the original timeframe, Premier Gladys Berejiklian was meant to be cutting the ribbon on the project this month ahead of the March 23 election.