This week the NSW Government released its 2024-25 budget, which outlines a very significant $62.9 billion of investment in its transport capital program over the next four years, which includes major investment in Sydney’s transformational Metro projects and the rail fleet. Outlined below are the key investment highlights for rail. 

New rail projects commencing in 2024-25 (funding to 2027-28) 

  • $441.5 million to extend the life of the Tangara Fleet to operate until 2036, focussed on resolving ageing, safety and customer experience issues. 
  • $13.2 million to deliver a business case for the Future Fleet Program to determine fleet asset lifecycle and local manufacturing and procurement options for the long term fleet pipeline, and design a modern, fit for purpose double deck suburban passenger train to replace Tangara and other fleet.  

Key metropolitan rail projects continuing in this Budget (funding to 2027-28) 

  • $13.4 billion for the Sydney Metro West project, delivering a new metro line connecting Greater Parramatta with the Sydney CBD. 
  • $5.5 billion for Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, to deliver six new metro stations to service the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. 
  • $1.9 billion for the Rail Service Improvement Program, which will continue the program to simplify and modernise the rail network and integrate Sydney Metro City and Southwest with Sydney’s train network. 
  • $1.2 billion for Sydney Metro City and Southwest to deliver an extension of Metro North West Line from Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour, through new CBD stations and southwest to Bankstown. 
  • $547.5 million to the Safe, Accessible Transport Program, which will continue to deliver and develop upgrades to stations to achieve Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) compliance, improving amenity, access and safety. 
  • $475.1 million for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to deliver a new public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park. 
  • $210.6 million for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 to continue the construction of the Light Rail from Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a 12-kilometre two-way track. 
  • $65 million for developing a business case for potential future rail connections between Bradfield and Campbelltown/Macarthur (South West Sydney Rail Planning) 
  • $40 million for developing a business case for a potential future rail connection between St Marys and Tallawong (Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport – Northern extension) 

Key regional and outer metro rail projects continuing in this Budget (funding to 2027-28) 

  • $1.2 billion for the Regional Rail Fleet to replace the ageing XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains and improve travel. 
  • $973.8 million for the New Intercity Fleet (Mariyung Fleet) to deliver a new, state of the art fleet and associated power supply upgrades to provide a new level of comfort and convenience and improve accessibility and safety for customers who travel between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and the South Coast. 
  • $66.2 million for the Fixing Country Rail Program to provide g improved capacity, access, efficiency and reliability of the regional rail network, as well as delivering a highly functional transport network for moving freight in and out of regional areas.