The NEW CUMBERLAND LINE is a Transport for NSW corridor from Aerotropolis (Bradield) to Epping via Parramatta.
This appears to be an extension of the St Marys to Western Sydney Airport metro from Aerotropolis (Brafield) to Leppington, then replacing T2/T5 train with metro from Leppington to Merrylands via Glenfield/Liverpool, then new metro tunnels north of Merrylands towards Epping via Parramatta (bypassing Harris Park).
The St Marys to Western Sydney Airport metro is a 3 carriage service with different design/specifications to other Sydney Metro lines and incompatible with Sydney Trains.
The NSW Government (Department of Planning) has exhibited for the Greater Parramatta Future Underground Infrastructure Corridor (including the New Cumberland Line) in December 2024/January 2025. Read the EcoTransit submission to the Department of Planning regarding Greater Parramatta Future Underground Infrastructure Corridor.
Sydney Metro Planning
Transport for NSW and Department of Planning indicate that preliminary studies have commenced to convert the existing T5 Cumberland Line into Sydney Metro, with staged extensions running from Aerotropolis (Bradfield) through Glenfield and Merrylands to Parramatta, and then north to Epping.
Further north, the proposed tunnels from Merrylands to Epping via Parramatta bypass the existing Y-Link (and Harris Park) and are being protected under Sydney Metro corridor standards, not Sydney Trains standards. The planned interchange is at Parramatta Metro Station on Smith Street, which connects to Sydney Metro West rather than the existing Parramatta Train Station. Commuters will face an approximate five-minute outdoor walk between the Parramatta Metro Station and Parramatta Train Station, adding inconvenience to transfers.
Airport Access Concerns
Another major limitation of current planning is access to Western Sydney Airport. Aerotropolis (Bradfield) is a separate metro station located one stop south of the Western Sydney Airport Terminal Station. Under current proposals, passengers from cannot reach the new airport terminal directly from any part of the Sydney Trains Network and would be forced to make multiple interchanges including at Glenfield.
To provide a true connection to the new airport, the T2 Leppington Line and T5 Cumberland Line (South West Rail Link) would need to be extended directly to the Western Sydney Airport Terminal Station, operated as Sydney Trains rather than metro. This would also allow through-running from existing Sydney Trains services (especially Sydney Airport on the T8 Airport Line) and maintain direct journeys from Liverpool, Leppington, and surrounding South West Sydney stations.
Impacts on Existing Services
Converting T5 to metro would remove several key Sydney Trains services:
- T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line (City to Liverpool via Regents Park), due to the incompatibility of trains with metro on the Liverpool – Cabramatta section)
- T2 Leppington Line (Leppington to City via Granville), due to the incompatibility of trains with metro on the Leppington – Merrylands section)
- T5 Cumberland Line (Leppington to Richmond), due to incomptability of trains with metro on the Leppington – Merrylands section)
Stations such as Westmead–Toongabbie would lose direct services to Merrylands–Yennora, requiring passengers to interchange at Parramatta Metro Station & Parramatta Train Station. Even if the New Cumberland Line were operated as Sydney Trains, these issues would remain because the corridor north of Merrylands is entirely underground and separate from the existing network.
Alternative Proposal: Keep Sydney Trains and Expand Light Rail
Rather than converting the T5 Cumberland Line into metro, a combination of Sydney Trains extensions and light rail expansion would provide a more practical, commuter-friendly solution:
- Extend Sydney Trains (T2, T5, T8) from Leppington to the Western Sydney Airport Terminal, providing a direct single-seat connection from South West Sydney.
- Retain existing Sydney Trains services, including T2 City via Granville, T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line (including Liverpool–Cabramatta), and T5 Cumberland Line. This preserves established commuting patterns and reduces disruption.
- Extend Parramatta Light Rail from Carlingford to Epping, offering a north–south connection that complements the Sydney Trains network.
- Upgrade the T80 bus corridor into light rail, connecting Liverpool to Western Sydney Airport, providing high-frequency east–west services and linking to major rail interchanges.
- Seamlessly integrate light rail and Sydney Trains at Parramatta, Western Sydney Airport, and other key hubs, improving connectivity without forcing multiple metro transfers.
Benefits of This Approach
This alternative has clear advantages over metro conversion:
- Direct airport access via Sydney Trains, eliminating the need for interchange at Glenfield between train and metro.
- Preserves essential Sydney Trains services (T2, T3, T5, T8), maintaining convenience and commuting patterns.
- Flexible, scalable light rail expansion provides additional cross-regional connectivity without costly metro tunnels.
- Reduces travel times and interchanges compared to metro conversion.
- Avoids operational limitations of the 3-car Western Sydney Airport metro, which is incompatible with existing Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains networks.
- Lower cost and risk than full metro conversion while still delivering cross-regional transport improvements.
Conclusion
While the NSW Government’s planning currently emphasizes a metro-first New Cumberland Line, a Sydney Trains + light rail alternative would:
- Extend T2, T5, and T8 to the new Western Sydney Airport terminal
- Keep T2, T3, and T5 services running
- Expand Parramatta Light Rail north to Epping
- Upgrade the T80 bus corridor to light rail from Liverpool to the new Western Sydney Airport terminal and Aerotropolis (Bradfield)
This approach ensures direct airport access, preserves critical commuter rail services, and improves cross-regional connectivity—all while avoiding the operational limitations of the smaller 3-car Western Sydney Airport metro.
🚉✨ It’s Time to Upgrade South West Sydney from Bus to Light Rail! ✨🚉
It’s time to transform the 🚍 T80 Liverpool to Parramatta route into a 🚈 modern light rail line – and extend the network from Liverpool CBD to the ✈️ Western Sydney International Airport and 🏙️ Bradfield (Aerotropolis) precinct!
Sign the petition for light rail in South West Sydney at https://actionnetwork.org/letters/light-rail-for-south-west-sydney-liverpool-to-western-sydney-airport-liverpool-to-parramatta
Proposed Alternative to Metro Conversion of T5 Cumberland Line
Upgrade T80 Bus into Light Rail and Extended to Western Sydney Airport via Fifteenth Avenue
🚋🚆 Let’s Bring Light Rail to South West Sydney! 🌇✨
It’s time to transform the 🚍 T80 Liverpool to Parramatta route into a 🚈 modern light rail line – and extend the network from Liverpool CBD to the ✈️ Western Sydney International Airport and 🏙️ Bradfield (Aerotropolis) precinct!
💼 Jobs & Economic Growth:
📈 Boosts local business & investment
👷♀️ Creates jobs across Western Sydney
🌏 Connects us to a global gateway and the future Bradfield CBD
🏘️ Stronger, Smarter Communities:
🚋 Reliable, high-capacity transport
🌿 Reduces congestion and emissions
🏥 Better access to essential services, schools, and hospitals
🚊 Light rail is fast, clean, and future-ready – exactly what our growing region needs.
📢 Let’s get South West Sydney on track – literally!
💬 Support the push for #LightRailForLiverpool
Sign the petition for light rail in South West Sydney at https://actionnetwork.org/letters/light-rail-for-south-west-sydney-liverpool-to-western-sydney-airport-liverpool-to-parramatta