NSW Government Backtracks On Proposed Train Timetable Changes

The Minns Labor Government has announced they will no longer be proceeding with their proposed timetable changes for the T4, T8, and South Coast lines, which could have increased journey times by up to 14 minutes.

The changes, which were slated to come into effect next month and introduce more frequent services, were axed after being met with widespread criticism from commuters. Accordingly the existing timetable will remain in place, as Transport for NSW continues work to improve reliability and engages with communities on future service improvements.

Critiques Of Timetable Changes Want Trains To Be Fast, Not Just Frequent

“We want to deliver more frequent services and better connections for passengers, but after hearing feedback and listening to communities, we have made the decision that we have more to do to invest in reliability first,” said Minister for Transport John Graham.

“That’s why we have decided not to proceed with these timetable changes. Our focus is on improving reliability across the existing network, while continuing to work with communities on future service improvements.”

Premier for NSW Chris Minns concurred, stating commuters were more interested in reliable services than frequent services.

“People want more trains, but above all they want a reliable service that gets them to work and home on time,” said Premier for NSW Chris Minns. “We’ve listened to commuters and local MPs, and we’re not proceeding with these timetable changes. Our priority is fixing reliability and giving passengers a railway they can depend on.”

Minns went on to use the announcement to highlight the former Liberal-National state government’s neglect of NSW’s train networks.

“The former Government spent billions building new Metro lines while the existing heavy rail network, that millions of people rely on every day, was left behind,” said Minns. “Parts of our rail network are more than 100 years old. If you don’t invest in maintaining and upgrading that infrastructure, it will continue to fail. This needs to be the priority.”