5 days Ago By Matt O'Sullivan
The first stage of Parramatta’s new light rail project has finally received regulatory approval to carry passengers, clearing the way for services to begin along the 12-kilometre line shortly. After repeated delays to the start of services, the national rail safety regulator confirmed it had given approval on Tuesday for the operation of passenger services on the $2.875 billion line, which runs through the heart of the Parramatta CBD.
A spokesperson for the regulator said the date passenger services will start was a decision for the Transdev-led consortium which has the state government contract to operate trams along the line. The first stage of the Parramatta light rail line was originally meant to open last year. Credit: Kate Geraghty A spokesperson for Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the government welcomed the national rail safety regulator’s approval of Parramatta light rail but declined to say when services would start.
Following repeated delays, Parramatta City Council had been urging the state government to provide an expected timeline of operations. Under the previous Coalition government’s plans, the first stage of the line, between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, was slated for opening last year. The Minns Labor government later targeted an opening in the middle of this year before it was forced to push out the planned first service towards the end of 2024.
Last month, the project risked further delay after an electrical wire fell on a light-rail vehicle during trials, halting the testing of trams for almost a fortnight. The cost of the first stage blew out by $475 million in 2022. Early this year, the Minns government committed to pressing ahead with a second stage of the line, which will extend for 10 kilometres from Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park.
Transport for NSW has estimated the entire cost of the two stages at $6.8 billion – the equivalent of two CBD and southeast light rail projects. The CBD and southeast light rail line opened more than four years ago at a cost of $3.
1 billion – almost double the original forecast of $1.6 billion – following lengthy construction delays and legal battles. 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 . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Public transport For subscribers Sydney light rail Trams Sydney Matt O'Sullivan is transport and infrastructure editor at The Sydney Morning Herald.
Connect via Twitter . Most Viewed in National Loading.
