Trains under a Minns Labor Government will get travellers further, faster and more often, by delivering more express services.
NSW Labor will deliver more express services by conducting a review of timetables across both the Sydney Metropolitan Network and the wider NSW Trains network
Under the Liberals
Suburban stations across Sydney including Leppington, Campbelltown, Granville, Lidcombe and Riverwood have seen cuts to their express connections to Parramatta and the CBD.
These communities are surging in growth but passengers are leaving the train network.
This will help deal with the transport issues that are facing communities like Riverwood, which has not only seen express services cut from Riverwood and Padstow Stations but where bus connections from Peakhurst and Lugarno to the station do not properly connect to train services.
Passengers across the Illawarra, South Coast, Blue Mountains and the Hunter are also dealing with infrequent and relatively slow services that have only recently returned to their pre-pandemic levels of service.
This is despite more people having moved to these regions from metropolitan Sydney.
Labor’s plan
Labor’s timetable review will assess the real needs of communities for more efficient train services.
This will be crucial because the last review of the timetable occurred before the pandemic in 2019.
Long term planning & future proofing
The review will also deal with how to deliver the transport services of the future given that work patterns and travel patterns have permanently shifted.
This will include looking at how to flatten the peak on public transport and better utilise the transport infrastructure that we have.
It will also consider providing more frequent services all day rather than only during the traditional morning and evening peaks.
The review of the train timetables will be coordinated with other modes to ensure a seamless journey for customers.
Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:
“Our trains have become less reliable under the Liberals, people are waiting longer, and travellers are leaving in droves.
“If travellers are leaving the train system, more often than not, it means they’re jumping into the car and onto our roads.
“Labor will identify and assess the needs of the community to deliver more express services, and under NSW Labor, people will get around the city and the state further, faster, more often.
“Those living in our west and outer suburbs will see the most benefit.”
Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen MP Shadow Minister for Transport:
“Train services have gone backwards for too many communities across Sydney. Growing areas like Riverwood, Campbelltown and Leppington don’t have the right transport connections to the places where people are employed.
“Too many passengers are having to change too many times to get to and from work. This discourages passengers from using our train network at a time when we need to encourage people to come back.
“And since the pandemic travel work patterns have changed, there are opportunities to flatten the peak and deliver more frequent and efficient off peak services.
“That’s why Labor will review the train timetable to deliver better train connections so it’s easier for people to get to and from work, and get their kids to and from school everyday.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
JO HAYLEN MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
