NSW_TrainLink
NSW TrainLink
Operator of passenger rail services in New South Wales
NSW TrainLink is a train and coach operator in Australia, providing services throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, along with limited interstate services into Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Its primary intercity and regional services are spread throughout five major rail lines, operating out of Sydney's Central railway station.
| NSW TrainLink | |||||||||||||
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| Overview | |||||||||||||
| Owner | Transport for NSW | ||||||||||||
| Area served | New South Wales and some regional services to other major cities interstate | ||||||||||||
| Locale | New South Wales | ||||||||||||
| Transit type | |||||||||||||
| Annual ridership | 46.4 million (2017/18) | ||||||||||||
| Chief executive | Dale Merrick | ||||||||||||
| Website | transportnsw | ||||||||||||
| Operation | |||||||||||||
| Began operation | 1 July 2013; 10 years ago (2013-07-01) | ||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | NSW Trains and private coach operators | ||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||
| Electrification | 1,500 V DC from overhead catenary | ||||||||||||
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NSW TrainLink was formed on 1 July 2013 when RailCorp was restructured and CountryLink was merged with the intercity services of CityRail.
In May 2012, the Minister for Transport announced a restructure of RailCorp.[1][2] On 1 July 2013, NSW TrainLink took over (a) the operation of regional rail and coach services previously operated by CountryLink; (b) non-metropolitan Sydney services previously operated by CityRail; and (c) responsibility for the Main Northern railway line from Berowra railway station to Newcastle station, the Main Western railway line from Emu Plains railway station to Bathurst railway station, and the Illawarra railway line from Waterfall station to Bomaderry railway station.[3][4][5]
On 21 August 2023, a transition was announced for the operation of the Mariyung trains and the majority of intercity passenger services, crew and stations from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains.[6] All NSW Trainlink non-booked services will transfer to Sydney Trains on the 1 July 2024.[7]
The NSW TrainLink network is divided into two tiers, branded as Intercity and Regional. Intercity services operate commuter style services, mainly to and from Sydney with limited stops within the metropolitan area. The Intercity network is part of Transport for NSW's Opal ticketing system. Seats on Intercity services are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Regional services operate in areas of lower population density, providing passenger transport mainly between regional NSW and Sydney (although some cross country and interstate services operate). Regional services use a separate, reserved seat, ticketing system.
Intercity services
Intercity services operate to a distance approximately 200 kilometres (124 mi) from Sydney, bounded by Dungog in the north, Scone in the north-west, Bathurst to the west, Goulburn in the south-west and Bomaderry to the south.
Electric services extend from Sydney north to Newcastle, west to Lithgow and south to Port Kembla and Kiama. Most electric services originate from or terminate at Central.
Diesel trains serve the more distant or less populated parts of the Intercity network. Hunter Line services operate from Newcastle to Telarah with some extending to Dungog and Scone. Southern Highlands Line services operate between Campbelltown and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to Sydney and Goulburn. Diesel services also operate on the South Coast Line between Kiama and Bomaderry. The Bathurst Bullet provides a twice daily, limited stop service between Sydney and Bathurst.
Lines
| Line colour and name | Between | Electric services | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central and Lithgow with limited services to Bathurst | to Lithgow | ||
| Central and Newcastle | Yes | ||
| Newcastle and Telarah with limited services to Dungog or Scone | No | ||
| Centrala and Bomaderry or Port Kembla | to Kiama and Port Kembla | ||
| Campbelltownb and Moss Vale with limited services to Goulburn | No |
- ^a Some peak services and most weekend services on the South Coast Line run to/from Bondi Junction
- ^b Some peak services on the Southern Highlands Line run to/from Central. At other times, a change of train is required at Campbelltown
Intercity train fares
The Opal fare system for Intercity services is fully integrated with the Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro networks – trips involving Intercity, Sydney suburban and metro services are calculated as a single fare and there is no interchange penalty. Opal is also valid on bus, ferry, and light rail services in the Greater Sydney region (except for the Southern Highlands) but separate fares apply for these modes. The following table lists Opal fares for reusable smartcards and single trip tickets as:[8]
| As of 16 Oct 23 | 0–10 km | 10–20 km | 20–35 km | 35–65 km | 65 km+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult cards & contactless (peak) | $4.00 | $4.97 | $5.72 | $7.65 | $9.84 |
| Adult cards & contactless (off-peak) | $2.80 | $3.47 | $4.00 | $5.35 | $6.88 |
| Other cards (peak) | $2.00 | $2.48 | $2.86^ | $3.82^ | $4.92^ |
| Other cards (off-peak) | $1.40 | $1.73 | $2.00 | $2.67^ | $3.44^ |
| Adult single trip | $4.80 | $6.00 | $6.90 | $9.20 | $11.80 |
| Child/Youth single trip | $2.40 | $3.00 | $3.40 | $4.60 | $5.90 |
^ = $2.50 for Senior/Pensioner cardholders
Bus and coach services
NSW TrainLink operates several bus routes along corridors where the railway line has been closed to passengers or as a supplement to rail services. These bus services are operated by private sector bus companies contracted by NSW TrainLink.
- Wollongong to Moss Vale/Bundanoon(r)
- Moss Vale to Goulburn
- Picton to Bowral via Picton–Mittagong loop line on weekdays only
- ^(r) Seat reservations required
Regional services
NSW TrainLink operates passenger services throughout New South Wales and interstate to Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. All rail services feature diesel rolling stock. For more details of each train line see List of NSW TrainLink train routes.
| Line colour and name | Between |
|---|---|
| Central to Brisbane | |
| Central to Armidale or Moree | |
| Central to Canberra or Griffith or Melbourne | |
| Central to Broken Hill or Dubbo |
North Coast
The North Coast services operate through the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and South East Queensland regions. Services operate on the Main North and North Coast lines, travelling between Sydney Central station and Roma Street station in Brisbane.[9]
Principal stations served by XPT trains are:
See the full list of stations served.
Cities and towns served by NSW TrainLink coaches connecting off North Coast services include: Tea Gardens, Forster, Port Macquarie, Yamba, Moree, Alstonville, Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Surfers Paradise.
North Western
The North Western region services operate through the Hunter, New England and North West Slopes & Plains regions. Services operate on the Main North line from Sydney Central station to Werris Creek. where the service divides for Armidale and Moree.[10]
Principal stations served by Xplorer trains are:
Cities and towns served by NSW TrainLink coaches connecting off North Western services include: Wee Waa, Inverell, Grafton, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.
Western
The Western region services operate through the Central Tablelands, Orana, and Far West regions. Services operate on the Main Western Line from Sydney Central station to Dubbo and the Broken Hill line to Broken Hill.[11]
Principal stations served by XPT trains are:
Principal stations served by Xplorer trains are:
Cities and towns served by NSW TrainLink coaches connecting off Western services include: Oberon, Mudgee, Baradine, Cowra, Grenfell, Forbes, Parkes, Condobolin, Lightning Ridge Brewarrina, Bourke, Warren and Broken Hill.
Southern
The Southern region services operate through the Illawarra, South Coast, Monaro, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, Riverina, and Sunraysia regions, plus the Australian Capital Territory and parts of Victoria. The Government of Victoria contributes financially to the provision of the interstate services. The ACT Government does not make a financial contribution.
Services operate on the:
- Main South Line from Sydney Central station to Albury then continue on the North East line to Southern Cross station in Melbourne
- Bombala Line from south of Goulburn to Queanbeyan where services join the Canberra line to terminate inside the Australian Capital Territory at Canberra
- Hay Line from Junee to Yanco where services join the Yanco–Griffith line to Griffith[12]
Principal stations served by XPT trains are:
Principal stations served by Xplorer trains are:
Cities and towns served by NSW TrainLink coaches connecting off Southern services include: Wollongong, Bombala, Eden, Tumbarumba, Bathurst, Dubbo, Condobolin, Griffith, Mildura and Echuca.
Coach services
NSW TrainLink continued with the existing contracts entered into by CityRail and CountryLink for the provision of coach services.
On 1 July 2014, the Lithgow to Gulgong, Coonabarabran, Baradine services passed from Greyhound Australia to Ogden's Coaches.[13]
In July 2014, Transport for NSW commenced the re-tendering process for most of the routes with the previous 24 contracts reorganised into 18 contracts. The new contracts commenced on 1 January 2015 for a five-year period, with an option to extend for three years if performance criteria are met.[13][14] The services operated by Forest Coach Lines and Sunstate Coaches commenced new five-year contracts on 1 July 2016.[15][16]
The full list of coach operators providing services as at January 2015 was:[13][17]
+ not included in January 2015 re-tendering process
Since 2018, NSW TrainLink introduced several new road coach services on a trial basis:[18][better source needed]
- Brewarrina to Coolabah commenced May 2018[19]
- Bourke to Dubbo commenced May 2018[20]
- Tamworth to Port Macquarie
- Tamworth to Scone, had ceased by November 2018
- Tamworth to Dubbo
- Campbelltown to Goulburn commenced September 2018[21]
- Goulburn to Canberra commenced September 2018,[22] made permanent in June 2023[23]
- Forster to Coffs Harbour commenced April 2019[24]
- Wagga Wagga to Queanbeyan commenced April 2019[25]
- Broken Hill to Adelaide commenced June 2019,[26][27] made permanent in June 2023[23]
- Broken Hill to Mildura commenced June 2019,[26][27] made permanent in June 2023[23]
- Anglers Reach to Cooma commenced December 2019[28]
- Bigga to Goulburn commenced December 2019[29]
- Delegate to Nimmitabel commenced December 2019[30]
- Goodooga to Dubbo commenced December 2019[31]
- Moree to Walgett commenced December 2019[32]
The NSW TrainLink fleet consists of both diesel and electric traction, with the oldest of the fleet being the V sets and the youngest being the H sets, the latter is shared with Sydney Trains. Tangaras operate some peak hour South Coast Line services as far as Wollongong. The entire NSW TrainLink fleet is maintained by Sydney Trains either directly or via a Sydney Trains contract with UGL Rail.
Intercity services
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Carriage Numbers | Lines | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km/h | mph | ||||||
| V set | Electric multiple unit | 115 | 71 | 196 | 1970–1989 | ||
| T set | 447 (shared with Sydney Trains) | (between Waterfall and Port Kembla) | 1987–1995 | ||||
| Endeavour railcar | Diesel multiple unit | 160 | 99 | 28 | (Bathurst Bullet and between Lithgow and Bathurst)(between Kiama and Bomaderry) | 1994–1996 | |
| Hunter railcar | 14 | 2006–2007 | |||||
| H set | Electric multiple unit | 130 | 81 | 221 (shared with Sydney Trains, due to be transferred to Sydney Trains) | 2006–2012 | ||
Interstate and regional services
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Carriage Numbers | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km/h | mph | ||||||
| XPT | Diesel locomotive | 193 | 120 | 19 locomotives | 1981–1994 | ||
| XPT carriages | Passenger carriage | 60 carriages | |||||
| Xplorer | Diesel multiple unit | 160 | 99 | 23 | 1993 | ||
Future fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Carriage Numbers | Lines | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km/h | mph | ||||||
| D set | Electric multiple unit | 160 | 99 | 610 (to be built) | 2019–present | ||
| CAF Civity | Electro-diesel multiple unit | 160 | 99 | 117 (to be built) | 2026/27 (scheduled) | ||
A fleet of 610 D set carriages will be introduced to the NSW TrainLink intercity network. They will replace the V sets and allow the H sets to be transferred to Sydney Trains services. The first was delivered in December 2019.[33][34][35]
A fleet of bi-mode CAF Civity trains are scheduled to replace the XPT, Xplorer and Endeavour fleets as part of the NSW TrainLink Regional Train Project.[36][37][38][39] They would enter service between 2026 and 2027.
In the year ended 30 June 2018, 44.7 million journeys were made on intercity services. There were 1.7 million journeys on regional services. Patronage on intercity services increased by 9 percent over the previous financial year but fell by 1.4 percent for regional services.[40] Patronage surged on regional trains in 2023, reversing pandemic-era losses and increasing a further three percent, with a particular increase in ridership on Sydney-Melbourne services. 107,000 monthly journeys were made on regional trains in 2023.[41]
Intercity services are considered on-time if they operate within six minutes of their scheduled time.[42] For regional services the benchmark is ten minutes.[43] The target is for 92 percent of intercity services and 78 percent of regional services to operate on-time. In 2017–18 NSW Trains met both the Intercity target and the regional target. However, it failed to meet the Intercity target during peak hours.[44] These results partially reverse a trend of failing to meet punctuality targets. Since the organisation commenced operations in 2013–14, NSW Trains has never met the intercity peak punctuality target.[45][44] Regional train services have achieved their punctuality target twice, in 2015–16 and 2017–18. The 2015–16 result was the first time NSW Trains or its predecessor RailCorp had achieved the target in 13 years.[46][44]
The following table lists patronage figures for the network during the corresponding financial year. Australia's financial years start on 1 July and end on 30 June. Major events that affected the number of journeys made or how patronage is measured are included as notes.
| Year | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intercity (millions) | 32.9[lower-alpha 1] | 34.5[lower-alpha 2] | 38.5[lower-alpha 3] | 40.8[lower-alpha 4] | 44.7[lower-alpha 5] | 41.3 | 31.2[lower-alpha 6] |
| Regional trains (millions) | 1.23 | 1.22 | 1.24 | 1.69 | < 1.7[lower-alpha 7] | ||
| Regional coaches (millions) | 0.572 | 0.537 | 0.510 | ||||
| References | [47] | [48] | [49] | [40] | [50] | ||
- Patronage was lower than previous years due to people staying at home and not taking public transport to school or work during the COVID-19 pandemic
The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2022, based on Opal tap on and tap off data.[51]
| 3 179 000 | |
| 6 015 000 | |
| 418 000 | |
| 3 013 000 | |
| 334 000 |
Quiet carriages are designated carriages where noise made by passengers is requested to be kept to a minimum. Passengers are asked to place mobile phones on silent, move carriages in order to have a conversation with another passenger and use headphones when listening to music.[52]
Quiet carriages are on Intercity services are located in four carriages on eight car sets, two carriages on four car sets and one carriage on two car sets.[53]
Quiet carriages were first introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in early 2012 as a three-month trial. On 1 September 2012, quiet carriages were permanently introduced and expanded to all intercity services operating on the Blue Mountains and South Coast Line.[52] As of 2013, Quiet carriages had been introduced to the entire NSW TrainLink Intercity network.
The XPT fleet is maintained at the XPT Service Centre and the Endeavour and Xplorer fleets at Eveleigh Railway Workshops. The V sets are maintained at Flemington Maintenance Depot. The D sets will be maintained at a new facility at Kangy Angy. The new bi-mode[54] fleet will be maintained at a new facility, Mindyarra Maintenance Centre, in Dubbo.[55][56]
- "RailCorp job cuts first of many: unions" Archived 27 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 15 May 2012
- Annual Report 30 June 2012 Archived 25 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine RailCorp
- Corporate Plan 2012/13 Archived 25 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine RailCorp
- "700 jobs to go as RailCorp gets the axe" Daily Telegraph 16 November 2012
- "Agreement reached for New Intercity Fleet". NSW Government. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- "NSW TrainLink Corporate Plan 2024-2025 Draft for consultation" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 24 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Opal fares". transportnsw.info. Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
- "North Coast timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
- "North West timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
- "Western timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
- "Southern timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
- New NSW TrainLink Rural Coach Service Contracts Australian Bus issue 68 March 2015 page 20
- Provision of NSW Rural Coach Services Archived 31 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 11 July 2014
- Contract Award Notice Detail Archived 21 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 19 July 2016
- Contract Award Notice Detail Archived 21 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 19 July 2016
- NSW TrainLink Regional Coach trials Archived 13 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW
- Brewarrina to Coolabah timetable NSW TrainLink May 2018
- Bourke to Dubbo timetable NSW TrainLink May 2018
- Campbelltown to Goulburn timetable NSW TrainLink September 2018
- Goulburn to Canberra timetable NSW TrainLink September 2018
- "NSW makes multiple coach trials permanent | News". Australasian Bus and Coach. 26 June 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- Forster to Coffs Harbour timetable NSW TrainLink April 2019
- Wagga Wagga to Queanbeyan timetable NSW TrainLink April 2019
- Broken Hill to Adelaide & Mildura timetable NSW TrainLink June 2019
- Cooma to Anglers Reach timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
- Goulburn to Bigga timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
- Delegate to Nimmitabel timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
- Goodooga to Dubbo timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
- Walgett to Moree timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
- New Intercity Fleet Archived 13 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
- NSW Government to invest $2.8 billion in new intercity trains, making all trains air-conditioned Archived 8 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 8 May 2014
- Intercity Fleet Program Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales
- "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- NSW Region train fleet on track Archived 15 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017
- NSW region train fleet to be replaced Archived 19 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017
- CAF to replace New South Wales regional train fleet Railway Gazette International 14 February 2019
- "NSW Trains Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). NSW Trains. pp. 8, 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- Bajkowski, Julian (19 December 2023). "Commuters dump planes for trains… in Australia". The Mandarin. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- "Our performance". Sydney Trains. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- "Punctuality 2015". NSW Trains. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- "NSW Trains Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). NSW Trains. pp. 26, 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- "NSW Trains 2016–17 Annual Report" (PDF). NSW Trains. 18 June 2017. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- "NSW Trains 2015–16 Annual Report Volume 1" (PDF). NSW Trains. pp. 17, 22–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- "Transport for NSW Annual Report 2014–15" (PDF). Transport for NSW. p. 131. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- "NSW Trains 2015–16 Annual Report" (PDF). NSW Trains. 18 June 2017. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- "NSW Trains 2016–17 Annual Report" (PDF). NSW Trains. 18 June 2017. pp. 8, 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- Quiet carriages now permanent on the Blue Mountains and South Coast intercity services Archived 10 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Trains
- Quiet carriages to expand on South Coast line Archived 5 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Illawarra Mercury 3 July 2013
- "NSW chooses bi-mode option for regional train replacement". International Railway Journal. 30 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
- "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
Media related to NSW TrainLink at Wikimedia Commons
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