NSW Government Scraps Timetable Changes for T4, T8, and South Coast Lines
The NSW government has scrapped proposed timetable changes for the T4, T8, and South Coast lines after a backlash from commuters. The changes, which were due to begin next month, had been opposed by commuters and local MPs.
Major changes to train timetables in Sydney and the Illawarra have been scrapped less than a month before they were due to begin after a backlash from commuters.
The state government had announced more frequent services along the T4, T8 and South Coast lines, but some trips were expected to take longer. In a backflip, the government on Saturday said the changes due to take effect on November 15 would no longer go ahead after communities raised concerns.
"We've listened to commuters and local MPs, and we're not proceeding with these timetable changes," Premier Chris Minns said.
The proposed timetable was designed to deliver more frequent services and additional capacity across southern Sydney and the South Coast. However, the changes raised concerns from passengers and MPs.
Mr Minns confirmed on Saturday the changes would not go ahead and that the existing timetable would remain in place. "Our priority is fixing reliability and giving passengers a railway they can depend on," he said.
Transport Minister John Graham said the government had decided to focus on "reliability first" after feedback from passengers. "Our focus is on improving reliability across the existing network, while continuing to work with communities on future service improvements," he said.
One sore point was less direct trips to Sydney Airport for passengers travelling from Wollongong because of the planned bypass of Wolli Creek. The loss of the stop would mean changing at Sutherland or Hurstville, then again at Wolli Creek, or travelling into Central and catching an airport train back south.
A key part of the plan was the untangling of the Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line and the South Coast Line to reduce bottlenecks and improve reliability. The lines currently share a stretch of track, meaning a problem at Bondi Junction can cause delays on the South Coast.
The T8 would no longer have stopped at Sydenham, meaning an extra change to get on the Metro for travellers coming from south-western suburbs. They would also have lost direct access to St Peters, Erskineville and Redfern stations at peak times.