NSW TrainLink

Last updated

NSW TrainLink
NSW TrainLink logo.svg
NSW TrainLink XPT (20231004) (53319798407).jpg
Two XPTs in Sydney
TfNSW T.svg
Roundel
Overview
Owner Transport for NSW
Locale New South Wales, with services into the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia
Transit type
Annual ridership46.4 million (2017/18)
Website transportnsw.info
Operation
Began operation1 July 2013
Operator(s)NSW Trains and private coach operators
Technical
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

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 services are spread across five major rail lines, operating out of Sydney's Central railway station.

Contents

NSW TrainLink was formed on 1 July 2013 when RailCorp was restructured and CountryLink was merged with the intercity services of CityRail. Intercity services were transferred to Sydney Trains in 2024.

History

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, it was announced that the majority of intercity passenger services, crew and stations would move from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains. [6] The process of transferring intercity services from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains began in 2023, [7] and was completed by 1 July 2024. [8]

Network

NSW TrainLink services operate in areas of lower population density, using a reserved seat ticketing system.

An XPT travelling from Melbourne to Sydney, pictured between Jindalee and Morrisons Hill, New South Wales NSW TrainLink XPT Jindalee - Morrisons Hill (cropped).jpg
An XPT travelling from Melbourne to Sydney, pictured between Jindalee and Morrisons Hill, New South Wales

Train services

NSW TrainLink operates regional passenger services throughout New South Wales and interstate to Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. All rail services utilise 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

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

North Western 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

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

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.

Services operate on the:

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.

Roundel used to identify coach services TfNSW C.svg
Roundel used to identify coach services

Coach services

Dysons Irizar i6 bodied Scania K310IB at Wagga Wagga station in September 2015 Dysons (BS01 CU), in NSW TrainLink livery, Irizar i6 bodied Scania K310IB at Wagga Wagga Railway Station.jpg
Dysons Irizar i6 bodied Scania K310IB at Wagga Wagga station in September 2015
Dysons Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa at Wagga Wagga station in January 2015 Dysons (BS00 DQ), in NSW TrainLink livery, Fuso Rosa at Wagga Wagga Railway Station.jpg
Dysons Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa at Wagga Wagga station in January 2015

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]

OperatorServices
Australia Wide Coaches Lithgow to Bathurst, Orange & Parkes
BusBiz Lithgow to Dubbo & Nyngan
Dubbo to Lightning Ridge
Dubbo to Bourke
Dubbo to Broken Hill
Coolabah to Brewarrina
Wagga Wagga to Kingston and Queanbeyan
Berrima Coaches Picton to Bowral
Busways Port Macquarie to Wauchope, Wauchope to Port Macquarie
CDC Canberra Canberra to Bombala & Eden
Dysons Wagga Wagga to Griffith
Cootamundra to Tumbarumba
Cootamundra to Bathurst/Dubbo
Parkes to Condobolin
Forest Coach Lines Narrabri to Wee Waa & Burren Junction
Hunter Valley Buses Fassifern to Toronto
Loader's Coaches Lithgow to Grenfell
Oberon Bus Company Mount Victoria to Oberon
Ogden's Coaches Lithgow to Gulgong, Coonabarabran & Baradine
Oxley Explorer Armidale to Tenterfield, Port Macquarie to Tamworth, Tamworth to Port Macquarie
Port Stephens Coaches Broadmeadow to Taree
Premier Shoalhaven Kiama to Bomaderry
Moss Vale to Bundanoon/Goulburn
G&J Purtill Cootamundra to Condobolin
Cootamundra to Mildura
Wagga Wagga to Echuca
Albury to Echuca
Roadcoach Moss Vale to Wollongong
Queanbeyan to Cootamundra
Sunstate Coaches Grafton to Byron Bay
Casino to Tweed Heads
Casino to Surfers Paradise
Casino to Brisbane
Symes Coaches Tamworth/Armidale to Inverell
Moree to Grafton

+ not included in January 2015 re-tendering process

From 2018, NSW TrainLink introduced several new road coach services on a trial basis: [18] [ better source needed ]

Rolling stock

The entire NSW TrainLink fleet is maintained by Sydney Trains either directly or via a Sydney Trains contract with UGL Rail.

ClassImageTypeService SpeedCarriage NumbersRoutes operatedBuilt
km/hmph
XPT XPT train power car.jpg Diesel locomotive 1609919 locomotives1981–1994
XPT carriages XPT carriages (XF 2220).jpg Passenger carriage 60 carriages
Xplorer NSW TrainLink Xplorer 2508.jpg Diesel multiple unit 14590231993

Future fleet

ClassImageTypeService SpeedCarriage NumbersFuture routesBuilt
km/hmph
R set LR2TransfertoSydney.jpg Electro-diesel multiple unit 16099117 (to be built)2026/27 (scheduled)

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. [33] [34] [35]

Performance

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. [36]

Regional services are considered on-time if they operate within ten minutes of their scheduled time. [37] The target is for 92 percent of intercity services (formerly operated by NSW TrainLink) 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. [38] 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. [39] [38] 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. [40] [38]

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.

NSW TrainLink patronage by financial year
Year2013–142014–152015–162016–172017–182018–192019–20
Intercity (millions)32.9 [a] 34.5 [b] 38.5 [c] 40.8 [d] 44.7 [e] 41.331.2 [f]
Regional trains (millions)1.231.221.241.69< 1.7 [g]
Regional coaches (millions)0.5720.5370.510
References [41] [42] [43] [44] [45]
  1. Opal rollout completed in April 2014
  2. Services in central Newcastle replaced by buses in December 2014
  3. Increase largely due to a change in the calculation of journeys for Opal vs magnetic stripe tickets
  4. Non-Opal tickets discontinued in August 2016
  5. Newcastle Interchange extension opened in October 2017
  6. 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
  7. Patronage reported as 1.7 million journeys but was down by 1.4 percent compared to the previous year

The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2024, based on Opal tap on and tap off data. [46]

2023–24 NSW TrainLink Intercity patronage by line
7,152,563
13,189,811
803,606
7,132,670
755,919

Depots

The XPT fleet is maintained at the XPT Service Centre and the Endeavour and Xplorer fleets at Eveleigh Railway Workshops. The new bi-mode [47] fleet will be maintained at a new facility, Mindyarra Maintenance Centre, in Dubbo. [48] [49]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CountryLink</span> New South Wales government rail and road passenger operator

CountryLink was a passenger rail and road service brand that operated in regional areas of New South Wales, and to and from Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. Originally created as a business unit of the State Rail Authority of New South Wales, it later became a subsidiary of RailCorp. CountryLink operated rail services using XPT and Xplorer rolling stock, with connecting coach services operated under contract by private operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Coast Line</span> Rail service in New South Wales, Australia

The South Coast Line (SCO) is an intercity rail service that services the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The service runs from Central, and runs the entire length of the eponymous South Coast railway line to Bomaderry. The service also runs along the Eastern Suburbs railway line at peak hours and the Port Kembla railway line to Port Kembla. It is operated with Sydney Trains H sets and T sets, with Endeavour railcars operating the service on the non-electrified line between Kiama and Bomaderry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Highlands Line</span> Rail service in New South Wales, Australia

The Southern Highlands Line (SHL) is an intercity rail service that services the Macarthur, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions of New South Wales. First operating in 1869, the service runs from Campbelltown across the Main Southern railway line through to Goulburn, with peak hour services extending the route to Central. The railway service operates alongside a bus route from Picton to Bowral, operating on the route of the Picton – Mittagong loop railway line, and a regional coach service from Bundanoon to Wollongong on the South Coast Line, operating on the corridor of the Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Endeavour railcar</span> Class of diesel multiple unit operating in New South Wales, Australia.

The Endeavour Railcars are a class of diesel multiple units (DMU) operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity passenger rail services in New South Wales, Australia on the Hunter, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines. They are mechanically identical to the Xplorers, but are fitted out for shorter travel distances. All 30 carriages were built by ABB's Dandenong rolling stock factory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Mountains Line</span> Rail service in New South Wales, Australia

The Blue Mountains Line (BMT) is an intercity rail service serving the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. The line travels west from Sydney to the major town of Katoomba and on to Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst. Mount Victoria is the terminus for most electric services, but some services terminate at Lithgow instead. Two express services per day in each direction, known as the Bathurst Bullet, extend to the regional city of Bathurst, which is supplemented by road coaches connecting Bathurst to Lithgow. Due to electrification limits at Lithgow, the Bathurst Bullet is run using the Endeavour railcars, which operate on diesel. The Blue Mountains Line operates over a mostly duplicated section of the Main Western line. As such, the tracks are also traversed by the Central West XPT, Outback Xplorer and Indian Pacific passenger services and by freight trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maitland railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Maitland railway station is located on the Main Northern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the city of Maitland opening on in 1880 as West Maitland being renamed Maitland on 1 April 1949. It is the junction station for the Main Northern and North Coast lines. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadmeadow railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Broadmeadow railway station is a heritage-listed railway station and major regional interchange located on the Main Northern Line. The station itself serves the Newcastle suburb of Broadmeadow. The station was first opened on 15 August 1887.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goulburn railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Goulburn railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the Main Southern line in New South Wales, Australia. Opened on 19 May 1869, it serves the city of Goulburn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The railways of New South Wales, Australia, use a large variety of passenger and freight rolling stock. The first railway in Sydney was opened in 1855 between Sydney and Granville, now a suburb of Sydney but then a major agricultural centre. The railway formed the basis of the New South Wales Government Railways. Passenger and freight services were operated from the beginning. By 1880, there was a half hourly service to Homebush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales XPT</span> Australian regional passenger train

The New South Wales XPT is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB. Based on the British Rail-designed High Speed Train, each XPT set comprises two XP power cars in a push-pull configuration and, between them, between four and seven passenger carriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Xplorer</span> Class of diesel multiple unit trains

The Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains built by ABB. Initially entering service in October 1993 with CountryLink, the Xplorers are mechanically identical to the Endeavour railcars, though feature a higher level of passenger amenity. All 23 carriages were built in the Dandenong rolling stock factory. The Xplorers currently operate under NSW TrainLink, running on the regional Main North, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales.

Griffith railway station is located on the Yanco–Griffith line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the city of Griffith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harden railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Harden railway station is a heritage-listed railway station located on the Main Southern line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Harden. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Trains</span> Operator of passenger rail services in and around Sydney

Sydney Trains is the brand name and operator of suburban and intercity train services in and around Greater Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.

The NSW TrainLink fleet of trains serves the areas outside Sydney, Australia, mainly regional and interstate lines. The NSW TrainLink fleet consists of diesel traction, with the oldest of the fleet being the XPTs and the youngest being the R sets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Canberra</span>

Transport in Canberra is provided by private cars, buses, taxis and light rail for travel within the city, while regional rail, air, and long-distance coach services operate for travel beyond Canberra. A vast road network also plays a major role in transport within and beyond the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathurst Bullet</span> Passenger train connecting Sydney and Bathurst, Australia

The Bathurst Bullet is an express passenger train on the Blue Mountains Line operated by NSW TrainLink between Sydney and Bathurst. The service operates from Bathurst towards Sydney in the morning, and returns in the afternoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dubbo railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Dubbo railway station is a heritage-listed railway station and bus interchange located on the Main Western line in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the city of Dubbo and was opened on 1 February 1881. The station is also known as Dubbo Railway Station and yard group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The station and associated yards were designed by the office of the Engineer-in-Chief of the NSW Government Railways, under the direction of John Whitton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coolamon railway station</span> Railway station in New South Wales, Australia

Coolamon railway station is located on the Hay line in New South Wales, Australia. It serves the town of Coolamon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales R set</span> Train in New South Wales, Australia

The R sets are a class of bi-mode multiple units (EDMU) being built by as part of the Regional Rail Project to replace NSW TrainLink's ageing Xplorer and XPT fleets for long-distance services, as well as Sydney Trains' Endeavour fleet for diesel intercity services.

References

  1. "RailCorp job cuts first of many: unions" Archived 27 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 15 May 2012
  2. "Ruthless RailCorp reforms planned as middle management axed" Daily Telegraph 15 May 2012
  3. Annual Report 30 June 2012 Archived 25 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine RailCorp
  4. Corporate Plan 2012/13 Archived 25 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine RailCorp
  5. Wood, Alicia (16 November 2012). "700 jobs to go as RailCorp gets the axe". AAP . The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012.
  6. Minister for Transport (21 August 2023). "Agreement reached for New Intercity Fleet". NSW Government (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. "Agreement reached for New Intercity Fleet". NSW Government. 21 August 2023. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. NSW, Transport for (29 October 2024). "Orange community having a say on rail services". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  9. "North Coast timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
  10. "North West timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
  11. "Western timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
  12. "Southern timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 New NSW TrainLink Rural Coach Service Contracts Australian Bus issue 68 March 2015 page 20
  14. Provision of NSW Rural Coach Services Archived 31 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 11 July 2014
  15. Contract Award Notice Detail Archived 21 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 19 July 2016
  16. Contract Award Notice Detail Archived 21 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering 19 July 2016
  17. suppliers NSW TrainLink
  18. NSW TrainLink Regional Coach trials Archived 13 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW
  19. Brewarrina to Coolabah timetable NSW TrainLink May 2018
  20. Bourke to Dubbo timetable NSW TrainLink May 2018
  21. Campbelltown to Goulburn timetable NSW TrainLink September 2018
  22. Goulburn to Canberra timetable NSW TrainLink September 2018
  23. 1 2 3 "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.
  24. Forster to Coffs Harbour timetable NSW TrainLink April 2019
  25. Wagga Wagga to Queanbeyan timetable NSW TrainLink April 2019
  26. 1 2 Arriving now – Broken Hill to Mildura and Adelaide coach services Roads & Maritime Services 13 June 2019
  27. 1 2 Broken Hill to Adelaide & Mildura timetable NSW TrainLink June 2019
  28. Cooma to Anglers Reach timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
  29. Goulburn to Bigga timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
  30. Delegate to Nimmitabel timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
  31. Goodooga to Dubbo timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
  32. Walgett to Moree timetable NSW TrainLink December 2019
  33. "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  34. NSW Region train fleet on track Archived 15 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for New South Wales 14 August 2017
  35. NSW region train fleet to be replaced Archived 19 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 15 August 2017
  36. Bajkowski, Julian (19 December 2023). "Commuters dump planes for trains… in Australia". The Mandarin. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  37. "Our performance". Sydney Trains. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  38. 1 2 3 "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.
  39. "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.
  40. "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.
  41. "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.
  42. "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.
  43. "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.
  44. "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.
  45. "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  46. "Train Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  47. "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.
  48. NSW seeks private finance for regional fleet Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 15 August 2017
  49. "Regional Rail". Transport for NSW. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to NSW TrainLink at Wikimedia Commons