PRIVATELY-operated trains, running five minutes apart between Hurstville and the city, are planned as the ‘‘next stage’’ of a rapid rail system in Sydney.
The state government’s 20-year transport plan, released in 2012, proposed converting the Bankstown and Hurstville lines for the high-frequency, single-deck trains.
It was dependent on a new rail tunnel being built under Sydney Harbour.
The government’s plans to privatise the electricity network, released this month, include running privately operated single-deck trains to Bankstown.
They would use a new tunnel, connecting to the North West Rail Link at Chatswood.
A spokesman for Transport for NSW said a rapid rail link to Hurstville was still planned.
“Sydney’s Rail Future identified future rapid transit extensions to both Bankstown and Hurstville,’’ he said. ‘‘Nothing has changed.
‘‘The intention remains to extend rapid transit to Hurstville as the next stage ... and the operator will be determined at the appropriate time.’’
Investment on the Illawarra Line, as part of this package, includes signalling upgrades.
‘‘This will improve train services to the south, including providing increased capacity and more reliable services for customers travelling to the city.
‘‘Customers can also expect less crowding at Town Hall station.”
Fairfax Media reported Transport for NSW was understood to be ‘‘struggling to work out how to allow freight trains to continue running on tracks it wants to convert to the new metro-style trains’’.
Announcing a preferred operator for the the North West Rail Link this week, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said a customer service contract would cover requirements such as on-time running and cleanliness.
‘‘Importantly, the government will set and control fares,’’ she said.
‘‘We have made it clear that if the operator can’t meet these standards, they will suffer a financial penalty, which will be written into the operating contract.’’
BEREJIKLIAN’S ASSURANCE
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian told Fairfax Media the Hurstville proposal remained in the government’s plans despite not being included in the privatisation promise.
‘‘We are building a brand new railway that will move more people, more quickly and more reliably than we have ever seen before in Sydney, and future-proof our rail network for generations to come,’’ she said.
Would you like a privately operated rapid rail to Hurstville?
