New train rollout is good news for commuters, mostly
“This is a very exciting day for commuters in the Illawarra," says NSW Transport Minister John Graham as the first of the new Mariyung trains pulls out of Kiama
The long-awaited arrival on Tuesday of the new Mariyung trains in the Illawarra is a good news story: but not everyone is happy.
The first of the trains pulled out of Kiama at 7.56am on Tuesday, offering commuters more spacious two-by-two seating, a quieter journey with modern air-conditioning, spaces for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs, enhanced safety and improved accessibility.
Seating includes tray tables, arm rests, high seat-backs and charging ports for mobile devices.
NSW Transport Minister John Graham was effusive about the positives, as Illawarra commuters will enjoy the same level of service which was rolled out on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line in December 2024 and the Blue Mountains Line in October last year.
“This is a very exciting day for commuters in the Illawarra as these brand new trains begin to enter service, bringing a new level of comfort, safety and convenience to a region where people often spend long hours on the train as part of their commute,” Minister Graham said.
South Coast trains will no longer stop at Wolli Creek under the new timetable to be introduced later this year.
However, under the new timetable to be introduced later this year, South Coast Line trains will no longer stop at Wolli Creek Station. That will be a major inconvenience for the thousands of commuters who travel from the Illawarra to the Domestic and International Airport Terminals each year.
They will need to make an extra stop at Hurstville or Central to access the airport, adding extra time and inconvenience to their journey.
The NSW Government says that change will only impact about two per cent of current passengers, and trains will continue to stop at Wolli Creek until the new timetable is introduced.
As part of the new timetable changes, South Coast Line services will no longer run on the Eastern Suburbs railway to Bondi Junction.
Following 12 months of testing and enabling track and station works, the phased rollout of the Mariyung fleet starts with seven new train sets this month, increasing to 16 trains by 2027.
The first phase will involve 4-car and 6-car sets, the second phase will launch 8-car sets later this year, followed by 10-car configurations in 2027.
The new train timetable, to be introduced later this year, will add a fourth service an hour in the peak. There will be a service every 30 minutes outside of the morning and afternoon peaks.
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the rollout of the new trains marks a significant day, the culmination of many months of preparation.
“The 136-year-old South Coast Line is one of the most beautiful but challenging rail corridors in NSW due to the terrain, so the project team has made complex infrastructure upgrades to get these new trains operating,” Minister Aitchison said.
“Passengers can now enjoy the scenery during a very smooth and safe journey, which will particularly enhance the increasingly popular weekday working commute to Sydney’s CBD.”
