Proposed Railways in Sydney - NSW Transport Masterplan, 2012

NSW Transport Masterplan, 2012

In August 2010, the Australian Labor Party announced funding for the Epping- Parramatta rail line as part of its re-election bid for the 2010 federal election, despite it not appearing in the State Government's Transport Plan. In March 2011, the State Election resulted in Barry O'Farrell elected as premier of NSW who has committed to constructing the North West rail line and the light rail extension. The Western Express and CBD Relief Line were cancelled by the new government. As of 2013, the Epping-Parramatta rail line has been shelved by the NSW Government.

In December 2012, a new transport masterplan for Sydney and New South Wales was announced by Barry O'Farrell after community feedback and discussion.

The new plan includes:

• The Creation of NSW Trains and Sydney Trains to replace Railcorp from 1st July 2013.
• Converting the Bankstown and Illawarra (up to Hurstville) into rapid-transit lines with single-deck trains.
• Construction of the privately run North West Rail Link from Cudgegong Road to Epping with signal improvements to the Epping to Chastwood Rail Link with a proposed opening by 2019.
• Completion of the South West Rail Link between Leppington and Glenfield with a proposed opening by late-2015.
• Future planning for a Second Harbour Crossing providing services from the Hills District to the Sydney CBD.
• Construction of the Inner West Light Rail between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill with a proposed opening by 2014.
• Construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail with a proposed opening by 2020.
• Frequency and Reliability improvements from 2013 as part of the Sydney's Rail Future Plan