EcoTransit supports the Sydney Trains Network and expresses disappointment at both the NSW Liberal Government and NSW Labor proposals for the expansion of rail in South Western Sydney.
Expansion of the Sydney Trains Network has been forsaken for the privatisation of public transport services through Sydney Metro and the significant densification of communities without the necessary additional hospitals or schools.
The NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Sydenham to Bankstown line conversion (2019-20) found that the business case for Sydney Metro City & Southwest has not been justified, yet the NSW Government has announced an extension of Metro Southwest from Bankstown to Western Sydney Airport via Liverpool/Glenfield.
It is extremely disappointing that both NSW Government and Labor Opposition are continually ignoring the warnings of 4 former Sydney rail executives (John Brew, Ron Christie, Bob O’Loughlin, and Dick Day) that converting Sydenham to Bankstown into Sydney Metro would cause gridlock among the entire Sydney Trains Network.
As a witness at the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Sydenham to Bankstown line conversion (2019-20), EcoTransit presented evidence regarding the ability to increase capacity and frequency on the existing Sydney Trains Network (running heavy rail double-deck trains) through signalling upgrades (at a fraction of the cost to Sydney Metro).
The NSW Government’s plan to extend Metro Southwest from Bankstown to Western Sydney Airport is contrary to the Transport for NSW Greater Liverpool to Bankstown Needs Study (2022) and expert research indicating that buses would serve disadvantaged communities better than Metro (especially in new corridor via Bankstown Airport).
EcoTransit opposes the wasteful government spending on the conversion of the existing Sydney Trains Network including between Liverpool and Leppington via Glenfield into Sydney Metro, as the most cost-effective connection to Western Sydney Airport (Bradfield) is an extension of heavy rail for double-deck trains.
EcoTransit supports the NSW Labor proposal for rapid buses in the Greater Liverpool area instead of extending Metro Southwest from Bankstown to Glenfield, but EcoTransit cannot support the NSW Labor proposal to extend Metro from Bankstown to Regents Park via Yagoona/Birrong.
The solution to Yagoona and Birrong Station being without a direct train to Central Station (once Metro Southwest opens to Bankstown in 2025) is to restore the Bankstown to City Circle via Regents Park service on the T2 Inner West Line and the completion of a project (abandoned in 2014 in favour of WestConnex) for 2 additional Sydney Trains tracks between Lidcombe and Homebush Station.
Both major NSW political parties through Sydney Metro are supporting over-development by stealth and placing further pressure on existing hospitals and schools in Western Sydney communities.
EcoTransit is unconvinced that the NSW Government has the interests of Bankstown commuters at heart in its statement criticising NSW Labor for opposing the Metro Southwest extension (Bankstown to Glenfield via Liverpool) using the rationale that commuters would be required to catch 2 trains and bus to reach Western Sydney Airport.
EcoTransit also expresses concern about the NSW Future Transport Strategy plans to close Yagoona and Birrong Stations with buses replacing trains on the Lidcombe to Bankstown line.
The NSW Government only holds feigned concerns about Bankstown line commuter journeys as under Transport for NSW plans for future rail in the West of Bankstown, the current direct journey from Chester Hill to Canterbury will become a 3 different modes of transport (a train to Regents Park, then bus to Bankstown, then Metro to Canterbury).
EcoTransit proposes the Better Options for Sydney Trains:
- The NSW Government and all political parties note the lack of a strong business or operations case for introducing Sydney Metro generally, especially at the expense of upgrades and expansions to the Sydney Trains Network.
- Cease the conversion of the Sydenham to Bankstown line into Metro Southwest as the project is an unjustified waste of money, especially with the lack of patronage demand (only able to be overcome with substantial redevelopment and densification of communities along the line).
- Transport for NSW ceases planning for the removal of Sydney Trains in the West of Bankstown area and instead restores direct trains to City Circle via Lidcombe (Inner West Line) for all stations (as per the recommendation of the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Sydenham to Bankstown line conversion).
- Extend the South West Rail Link from Leppington to Western Sydney Airport (Bradfield) running heavy rail double-deck services (instead of the wasteful spending for the Metro Southwest extension from Bankstown to Western Sydney Airport via Liverpool/Glenfield).
- Construct the new Western Sydney Airport line (EcoTransit’s proposed “Dharawal Line”) as a Sydney Trains heavy-rail link for double-deck passenger services and freight trains from Schofields – St Marys – Western Sydney Airport – Leppington and Campbelltown.
- With EcoTransit’s proposed “Dharawal Line” and Sydney Trains timetabling with Leppington to T8 Airport Line via East Hills services, Western Sydney Airport passengers will have a fast direct rail link (with storage for baggage and larger items), without changing trains, to Sydney International and Domestic Airport, and Central Station in under 1 hour.