Parramatta gets a glimpse of its future as first light rail travels through CBD

A tram has rolled through Parramatta’s CBD for the first time in 80 years, as testing begins on the entire line of the first stage of the Parramatta Light Rail project.

A 45-metre, 63-tonne red and white tram slowly rolled out of its stabling facility in Camellia at 9.30pm on Thursday, before moving west to Parramatta Square, up Church Street and past the hospital precinct to Westmead – before arriving back five and a half hours later.

The late-night journey marks the first time a tram has entered the city on the tracks, after the government began testing a small section of the line in December last year.

The tram has to undergo more than 2000 hours of day and night testing before passengers can use the service. The government is yet to reveal an exact date for the opening, but says it will begin “later this year”.

A police car escorted the light rail throughout the journey, as bewildered passers-by took photos and peered inside the vehicle.

White gauge testing markers that reflected the tram’s maximum heights and widths were pinned to the front of the vehicle to avoid the tram getting damaged if a platform or tracks had been incorrectly measured – but they remained intact.

Testing in the Parramatta CBD began late on Thursday night under a police escort.Credit: NSW Government

The track – which has multiple sections covered by grass, and some sections that have no overhead wiring – will be home to 13 Spanish-made light rail vehicles when it is opened. Those vehicles are the only ones in Sydney to have bike racks onboard.

While the project’s first stage is nearing completion, its second stage, which will connect communities further east of the Parramatta CBD, including Melrose Park and Wentworth Point, is yet to begin.

The state’s planning authorities approved the second stage last month – seven years after it was first announced by the former Coalition government. But the government has not yet revealed how much it will cost.

Testing in the Parramatta CBD began late on Thursday night under a police escort.Credit: NSW Government

Camilla Drover, deputy secretary of Transport for NSW, said the Parramatta CBD testing would be a change for people used to walking on the tracks.

“This is the first time vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists have had to interact with light rail in Parramatta, so we ask all road users to remain vigilant,” she said. “Please take extra care to be safe when walking, riding or driving near the light rail and pay attention to the signs and traffic directions.”

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the project had so far involved 5500 jobs.

“People living in western Sydney deserve reliable, world-class public transport links,” she said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.