Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced the new South West Rail Link is one step closer to opening, with train testing and staff training now underway, ahead of Sydney Trains services starting early next year.

Glenfield Station
Photo courtesy of Transport for NSW
First test trains hit the tracks on South West Rail Link

Ms Berejiklian was joined by local MPs to ride one of the trains being tested on the brand new tracks, as Sydney Trains also begins training staff over the next few months.

“The South West Rail Link project is a year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget, and it is fantastic news for the community that we are testing trains on this much-needed infrastructure,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This is important work needs to be carried out to ensure the service can safely and reliably start carrying the first customers in early 2015.

“Over the coming weeks local residents will be able to see trains running between Glenfield and the new Leppington Station as we carry out extensive tests of the line, trains, signalling and other equipment.

“Drivers, guards, station staff and other Sydney Trains staff will also be trained in the next few months to ensure we can hit the ground running on opening day and provide customers with the smoothest possible start to the new services.”

Ms Berejiklian said from day one the South West Rail Link will operate services to the Liverpool CBD, stopping at Leppington, Edmondson Park and Glenfield stations, with services to be fully integrated into the Sydney Trains timetable in the future.

Initially trains will run every 30 minutes, with the journey taking around 15 minutes in each direction between Leppington and Liverpool.

Trains will connect customers with the T5 Cumberland Line, T2 South Line and T2 Airport Line at Glenfield, and the T2 South Line, T3 Bankstown Line and T5 Cumberland Line at Liverpool.

The first service on the SWRL will depart Leppington Station at 5.06am each day, and the last service from Liverpool will depart at 11.58pm, so local residents will have trains available throughout the day and night.

“The service will connect customers with trains to employment centres in the Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta CBDs, as well as to Sydney Airport,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We are already planning the full integration of the SWRL into the Sydney Trains network and once services have started early next year we will monitor passenger movements, and then ensure the trains are fully integrated into the timetable as soon as practically possible.”

Ms Berejiklian said buses will also provide residents with direct access to Leppington and Edmondson Park stations and will be timetabled to meet train services.

Two new bus routes are being established to link with the rail service and two existing services, the 855 and 856 services to Liverpool, are being altered to include a stop at Leppington Station.

Ms Berejiklian said customers will also benefit from 1,250 car parking spaces at the two new stations.

“This is great news for people in the area who are currently driving into Glenfield and trying to find a car park in the morning peak,” she said.

“The South West Growth Centre will eventually be home to a population of around 300,000 people – almost the same size as Canberra. We are future-proofing the area by putting in place this crucial infrastructure ahead of population growth.”

South West Rail Link fast facts

1. $1.8 billion project delivered a year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget.
2. 11.4 km line includes two brand new stations at Leppington and Edmondson Park, and an upgraded Glenfield interchange.
3. Millennium trains will be used on the SWRL, with seating capacity for more than 450 passengers. These trains are fully air-conditioned, clean and modern.
4. New train stabling yard at Rossmore will provide stabling facilities for 20 trains.
5. New rail flyover constructed at Glenfield to allow two trains to cross at the same time through Glenfield Junction.
6. The stations along the line – Glenfield, Edmondson Park and Leppington – are among the most modern in Sydney with full accessibility, extensive CCTV coverage, taxi ranks, bus interchanges and bike rack facilities.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: NSW.

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