NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance was at Helensburgh Railway Station this morning promising that a re-elected Liberal Government would deliver additional train carriages on the South Coast line.
NEW train carriages and extra seats to address a huge spike in customer demand has been promised by the NSW Government as transport gears-up as a major election issue ahead of the March 23 poll.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance was at Helensburgh Railway Station this morning promising that a re-elected Liberal Government would deliver an additional 42 New Intercity Fleet carriages, which will see eight car trains increased to 10 car trains for peak hour services on the South Coast line.
The Liberals investment in South Coast services also includes an extra peak hour service between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD, providing a 15 minute frequency for express services at Wollongong, North Wollongong, Thirroul and Helensburgh in the peaks.
Other improvements to the line will include:
• An extra off peak service each hour between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD, meaning a train every 30 minutes; and
• Expanded weekend OSCAR services, which will see most four carriage trains increased to eight carriage trains early next year.
Mr Constance said the new Intercity Fleet carriages will provide a much needed extra 13,000 seats for South Coast customers across the busiest times of the week.
“We are also improving weekend services between Kiama, Wollongong and Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s $4.3 billion More Trains, More Services program,” he said.
“It will add 20,000 extra seats by making 22 four car OSCAR services between the South Coast and Sydney eight car services from January.
“This is great news for customers on one of the fastest growing lines on the network. We now have 1.7 million extra passengers catching trains on the South Coast, compared to seven years ago.”
Member for Kiama and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward said the NSW Government has introduced over 36,000 new public transport services across the state since 2011.
State Liberal MP for Heathcote Lee Evans said northern Illawarra communities will benefit.
“This will stimulate more growth for local businesses, with the trip from Sydney on the train more attractive and easier for visitors, as well as making the trip to work easier for locals,” he said.
The 42 additional New Intercity Fleet carriages will bring the total number ordered to 554.
The Bulli & Clifton Times 
Unfortunately they have once again ignored the rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry. No additional carriages will be added here as it is still a diesel train. South Coast residents have been calling on the upgrade and electrification of that part of the rail line for passenger services for a long time.
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Posted by Patricia David | February 20, 2019, 7:27 amWhat is the ALP going to do & where is their plan? The election is on 23rd March. Enough talk & “we will look at” comments. They are the alternative government & have had years in opposition to formulate a detailed plan for rail services on the South Coast line, including rolling stock reallocation, utilising extra stations that have ample underutilized car parking, & timetable redesign.
Also, what about the issue of waiting times for connecting trains? Not everybody is a to-&-from-Sydney commuter; what about local rail users? The ability to get timely connections to suburban stations Fairy Meadow to Bulli when coming from further south (from stations between Bomaderry & Unanderra) without enduring long waits at a link station has for years been deplorable. Even going through to Thirroul & backtracking isn’t an option with often only a minute or two between services (train running a couple of minutes late & you are well & truly stuffed). I have been fobbed off regarding this issue by a series of Transport Ministers from both the ALP & Coalition & it seems that anecdotally The Greens & local rail advocacy groups don’t have this issue on their radar either.
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Posted by Bluey | February 23, 2019, 8:20 am