Sydney Trains

Sydney Trains

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 metropolitan part of the network is a hybrid urban-suburban rail system with a central underground core. It covers 369 km (229 mi) of route length over 919 km (571 mi) of track, with 169 stations on nine lines.

The network has frequencies of 5–10 minutes at peak-time at most inner-city and major stations, and 15 minutes off-peak at most minor stations. During the weekday peak, train services are more frequent. Nearly the entire fleet consists of bilevel electric multiple unit trains.

The network is managed by Transport for NSW and is part of its Opal ticketing system. In 2024–25, 270 million passenger journeys were made on the suburban network, making it the most-used rail network in Australia.

History

Sydney Trains

In May 2012, the Minister for Transport announced a restructure of RailCorp, the organisation that owned and managed the metropolitan rail network and operated passenger services throughout New South Wales. Two new organisations were created to take over the operation of the services from July 2013. Sydney Trains acquired all suburban services in the Sydney metropolitan area bounded by Berowra, Emu Plains, Macarthur and Waterfall from RailCorp's CityRail division.

Intercity and Hunter Line services previously operated by CityRail were taken over by NSW Trains, branded as NSW TrainLink. RailCorp remained the owner of the network infrastructure. When first created as subsidiaries of RailCorp, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains were not controlled entities of RailCorp, but were instead controlled by Transport for NSW. In July, they ceased to be subsidiaries of RailCorp and became independent standalone agencies in July 2017.

In August 2023, it was announced that the majority of NSW TrainLink's intercity operations would be transferred to Sydney Trains, including rolling stock, maintenance, operations, stations, and staff. This would include the modifications, testing, and introduction of the New Intercity Fleet (NIF).

In 2023, a process of transferring intercity services from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains began. In July 2024, Intercity services were taken under the responsibility of Sydney Trains.

Operations

Sydney Trains

In July 2013, Howard Collins , the former Chief Operating Officer of London Underground, was appointed as Chief Executive of Sydney Trains. In February 2020 Howard Collins moved to the role of Chief Operations Officer within Transport for NSW with Stewart Mills, Suzanne Holden and Pete Church, acting as interim Chief Executive until Matt Longland was appointed as permanent Chief Executive in June 2021.

In addition to operating suburban train services, Sydney Trains maintains the New South Wales Metropolitan Rail Area and maintains all but a handful of operational railway stations in the state.

St James station on the City Circle section of the network

Suburban network

Sydney Trains operates nine electric suburban lines across Sydney.

In conjunction with a new timetable released in October 2013, the Sydney Trains network was reorganised with a new numbering system. The number of lines was reduced from eleven to seven, now nine, by merging several lines.

Network changes

In November 2017, an eighth line was created by splitting the T2 line into two separate lines — T2 and T8 — reversing the merge made in 2013. T5 services no longer travelled to Campbelltown, instead starting and terminating at Leppington.

In April 2019, the section of the T1 line between Gordon and Hornsby via Strathfield was renumbered as T9 — restoring a similar pre-2009 route. The portion between Berowra and Richmond or Emu Plains via Chatswood and Parramatta remained as T1.

In 2015, the first expansion of the Sydney suburban network after the restructuring of CityRail into Sydney Trains occurred when the South West Rail Link opened between Glenfield and Leppington.

From 2018, some sections of the network began to be transferred to the city's metro and light rail networks.

In September 2018, the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link between Chatswood and Epping was closed for conversion to form part of the Sydney Metro Northwest project, which opened as the Metro North West Line in May 2019.

In January 2020, the Carlingford Line between Clyde and Carlingford closed, becoming part of the Parramatta Light Rail network in December 2024. The adjacent section of track between Clyde and Camellia, including Rosehill railway station, became disused.

In October 2024, the T6 Line became the Bankstown to Lidcombe shuttle (Lidcombe & Bankstown Line), with commuters interchanging at Regents Park or Lidcombe for connecting services to Liverpool or City Circle.

The section of the Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will form part of Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, which is due to open as the Metro North West & Bankstown Line in 2026.

Lines

<table><thead><tr><th>Line colour, number and name</th><th>Between</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>T1</td><td>North Shore & Western Line</td><td>Berowra and Emu Plains or Richmond.</td></tr><tr><td>T2</td><td>Leppington & Inner West Line</td><td>City Circle and Parramatta or Leppington via Granville.</td></tr><tr><td>T3</td><td>Liverpool & Inner West Line</td><td>City Circle and Liverpool via Lidcombe and Regents Park.</td></tr><tr><td>T4</td><td>Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line</td><td>Bondi Junction and Waterfall or Cronulla via Central.</td></tr><tr><td>T5</td><td>Cumberland Line</td><td>Schofields and Leppington. Limited services continue from Schofields to Richmond.</td></tr><tr><td>T6</td><td>Lidcombe & Bankstown Line</td><td>Bankstown and Lidcombe</td></tr><tr><td>T7</td><td>Olympic Park Line</td><td>Lidcombe and Olympic Park. Some services operate between Central and Olympic Park, particularly during special events, such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show.</td></tr><tr><td>T8</td><td>Airport & South Line</td><td>City Circle and Macarthur via Revesby and either Sydenham (peak) or Airport</td></tr><tr><td>T9</td><td>Northern Line</td><td>Hornsby and Gordon via Strathfield and City</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Grand Concourse of Central Station

The main hub of the Sydney Trains system is Central Station, which most lines pass through. Central is also the terminus of most NSW TrainLink lines. After leaving Central, trains coming from the T2 Leppington & Inner West Line, T3 Liverpool and Inner West Line and T8 Airport & South Line then travel through the City Circle – a ring line beneath the Sydney central business district.

After completing the City Circle, these trains pass through Central for a second time and return to the suburbs. The T1 North Shore & Western, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra and T9 Northern lines pass through the central business district and continue to other areas of Sydney.

The T5 Cumberland Line serves Western Sydney and provides access to the major centre of Parramatta from the southwest of the city without requiring a change of trains at Granville. The T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line, and the T7 Olympic Park Line are suburban shuttle services.

NightRide

NightRide bus services replace trains between midnight and 4:30 am, leaving the tracks clear of trains for maintenance work. Such bus services mainly stop near stations, operating typically at hourly intervals. Some routes depart more frequently on weekends. Many services depart the city from bus stops near Town Hall station. NightRide services are contracted to external bus operators and are identified by route numbers beginning with "N".

Rolling stock

Sydney Trains operates a fleet of double-deck electric multiple units. The trainsets are divided into the following classes:

Class	Image	Type	Top speed	Carriages	Entered service	Formation	Routes
km/h	mph
K sets		Electric multiple unit	115	71	160	1981–1985	8 cars	T2T3T8
T sets		115	71	447	1988–1995	T1T2T4T5T8T9
M sets		130	81	140	2002–2005	T2T3T5T6T7T8
H sets		130	81	220	2006–2012	T1T4T9
A sets		130	81	626	2011–2014	T1T2T3T5T7T8T9
B sets		130	81	328	2018–2021	T1T2T3T7T8T9

Though primarily operated on intercity lines, some H sets are also used on suburban services. With the delivery of the D sets for operations on intercity lines in 2024, most of the sets will be transferred to suburban services.

All A, B and M sets are maintained by Downer Rail. From June 2017, their contract for the M sets was extended by 10 years. All other types of trains including the V and H sets are maintained by UGL Unipart. The contract with UGL Unipart was extended for two years from July 2019.

The Sydney Trains network is divided into three sectors, based around three maintenance depots. Trainsets are identified by target plates, which are exhibited on the front lower nearside of driving carriages. Each target plate includes the letter of the class the set belongs to and the number of the individual set. Waratahs do not have a target plate, having the information written directly on the front of the train. The composition and formations of train sets and the target designations are subject to alteration. M sets and H sets carry green target plates.

Retired rolling stock

As of January 2026, three types of electric passenger stock have been retired from service since the formation of the agency:

Class	Image	Type	Top speed	Carriages	Retired	Formation	Notes
km/h	mph
S sets		Electric multiple unit	115	71	192	2019	8 cars	Last non airconditioned trains to be retired, some preserved
C sets		115	71	56	2021	Six cars preserved, 10 cars await scrapping at Chullora as of 2026
V sets		130	81	202	2026	Formerly part of the NSW TrainLink fleet

<table><thead><tr><th>Sector #</th><th>Depot</th><th>Serviced lines</th><th>Target plate</th><th>Sets being maintained</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Mortdale</td><td>T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line Intercity services on the South Coast Line</td><td>Red (T)</td><td>T, H</td></tr><tr><td>Green (H)</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Flemington</td><td>T2 Inner West & Leppington, T3 Bankstown, T5 Cumberland, T7 Olympic Park and T8 Airport & South Lines</td><td>Blue</td><td>K</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Hornsby</td><td>T1 North Shore & Western and T9 Northern Lines Intercity services on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line (H sets only)</td><td>Black (T)</td><td>T, H, A</td></tr><tr><td>Green (H)</td></tr><tr><td>—N/a</td><td>Auburn Maintrain</td><td>UGL Unipart carry out maintenance at the various depots to which the trains are allocated but major work may be carried out at Auburn Maintrain.</td><td>—N/a</td><td>All except A, B and M</td></tr><tr><td>Auburn</td><td>All A, B and M sets are stabled at the depot for the sector in which they operate but are maintained at Auburn by Downer Rail.</td><td>Stickers only (A, B)</td><td>A, B, M</td></tr><tr><td>Green (M)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Intercity services

An intercity service between Sydney and Newcastle

A map of intercity network, excluding the Sydney suburban portions of lines

Sydney Trains also operate intercity services to a distance approximately 200 kilometres (124 mi) from Sydney, bounded by Dungog in the north, Scone in the north-west, Bathurst to the west, Goulburn in the south-west and Bomaderry to the south.

Electric services extend from Sydney north to Newcastle, west to Lithgow and south to Port Kembla and Kiama. Most electric services originate from or terminate at Central.

Diesel trains serve the more distant or less populated parts of the Intercity network. Hunter Line services operate from Newcastle to Telarah with some extending to Dungog and Scone. Southern Highlands Line services operate between Campbelltown and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to Sydney and Goulburn. Diesel services operate on the South Coast Line between Kiama and Bomaderry. The Bathurst Bullet provides a twice daily, limited stop service between Sydney and Bathurst.

Lines

<table><thead><tr><th>Line colour and name</th><th>Between</th><th>Electric services</th><th>Map</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Blue Mountains Line</td><td>Central and Lithgow with limited services to Bathurst</td><td>to Lithgow</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Central Coast & Newcastle Line</td><td>Central and Newcastle</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hunter Line</td><td>Newcastle and Telarah with limited services to Dungog or Scone</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>South Coast Line</td><td>Centrala and Bomaderry or Port Kembla</td><td>to Kiama and Port Kembla</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Southern Highlands Line</td><td>Campbelltownb and Moss Vale with limited services to Goulburn</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Rolling stock

<table><thead><tr><th>Class</th><th>Image</th><th>Type</th><th>Service speed</th><th>Number of carriages manufactured</th><th>Lines</th><th>Built</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>km/h</td><td>mph</td></tr><tr><td>Endeavour railcar</td><td></td><td>Diesel multiple unit</td><td>145</td><td>90</td><td>28</td><td>Blue Mountains Line(Bathurst Bullet and between Lithgow and Bathurst)Hunter LineSouth Coast Line(between Kiama and Bomaderry)Southern Highlands Line</td><td>1994–1996</td></tr><tr><td>Hunter railcar</td><td></td><td>14</td><td>Hunter Line</td><td>2006–2007</td></tr><tr><td>H set</td><td></td><td>Electric multiple unit</td><td>130</td><td>81</td><td>221 (being converted to suburban trains)</td><td>South Coast Line</td><td>2006–2012</td></tr><tr><td>D set</td><td></td><td>610 (being built)</td><td>Central Coast & Newcastle LineBlue Mountains LinePlanned:South Coast Line</td><td>2019–present</td></tr></tbody></table>

Future rolling stock

Class	Image	Type	Service Speed	Carriage Numbers	Lines	Built
km/h	mph
R set		Bi-mode multiple unit	160	99	117 (to be built)	Blue Mountains Line(Bathurst Bullet and between Lithgow and Bathurst)South Coast Line(between Kiama and Bomaderry)Southern Highlands Line	2020–present

A fleet of 610 D set carriages will be introduced to the intercity network. They will replace the V sets and allow the H sets to be transferred to suburban services. The first was delivered in December 2019. The D sets will be maintained at a new facility at Kangy Angy. The R sets will run on the entirety of the regional rail network.

A fleet of 30 R Set carriages are being built to replace the Endeavour railcar used on the non-electrified sections of the network. They are expected to enter service in 2026–2027. The R sets will be maintained at a new facility in Dubbo.

Performance

Intercity services are considered on-time if they operate within six minutes of their scheduled time. The target is for 92 percent of intercity services to operate on-time.

Quiet carriages

Quiet carriages are designated carriages where noise made by passengers is requested to be kept to a minimum. Passengers are asked to place mobile phones on silent, move carriages in order to have a conversation with another passenger and use headphones when listening to music.

Quiet carriages are on Intercity services are located in four carriages on eight car sets, two carriages on four car sets and one carriage on two car sets.

Quiet carriages were introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in early 2012 as a three-month trial. In September 2012, quiet carriages were permanently introduced and expanded to all intercity services operating on the Blue Mountains and South Coast Line.

Patronage

A service at the Domestic Airport station

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 (for example, patronage was severely affected during the Coronavirus pandemic).

Year	2013–14	2014–15	2015–16	2016–17	2017–18	2018–19	2019–20	2020–21	2021–22	2022–23	2023–24	2024-25
Patronage (millions)	282.2	291.9	322	340.7	359.2	377.1	282.0	186.3	135.5	259	278	270.5
References

T1	79,614,028
T2	57,130,048
T3	16,358,380
T4	63,204,024
T5	7,724,243
T6	1,355,008
T7	2,546,800
T8	52,668,568
T9	37,085,826

Mode	Patronage	% of total
Metro	63,708,783	10.26
Train	272,792,709	43.91
Bus	224,926,815	36.21
Ferry	17,165,666	2.76
Light rail	42,600,487	6.86
Total	621,194,460	100.00

The following table shows the patronage of each line of the NSW TrainLink Intercity network for the year ending 30 June 2025, based on Opal tap on and tap off data.

<table><thead><tr><th>Blue Mountains Line</th><th>6,482,450</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Central Coast & Newcastle Line</td><td>12,051,510</td></tr><tr><td>Hunter Line</td><td>778,193</td></tr><tr><td>South Coast Line</td><td>7,155,584</td></tr><tr><td>Southern Highlands Line</td><td>515,035</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ticketing and costs

Ticket barriers at Wynyard station

Sydney Trains uses the Opal card ticketing system, which was introduced in April 2014. The fare system is fully integrated – trips involving suburban, metro and intercity services are calculated as a single fare and there is no interchange penalty. Students who use the Sydney Trains network to get to and from schools can apply for a free school Opal card. Opal is valid on bus, ferry, and light rail services. Separate fares apply for these modes. The following table lists Opal fares for reusable smartcards and single-trip tickets:

<table><thead><tr><th>As of 14 Jul 2025</th><th>0–10 km</th><th>10–20 km</th><th>20–35 km</th><th>35–65 km</th><th>65 km+</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Adult cards & contactless (peak)</td><td>$4.33</td><td>$5.38</td><td>$6.20</td><td>$8.28</td><td>$10.66</td></tr><tr><td>Adult cards & contactless (off-peak)</td><td>$3.03</td><td>$3.76</td><td>$4.34</td><td>$5.79</td><td>$7.46</td></tr><tr><td>Other cards (peak)</td><td>$2.16</td><td>$2.69^</td><td>$3.10^</td><td>$4.14^</td><td>$5.33^</td></tr><tr><td>Other cards (off-peak)</td><td>$1.51</td><td>$1.88</td><td>$2.17</td><td>$2.89^</td><td>$3.73^</td></tr><tr><td>Adult single trip</td><td>$5.20</td><td>$6.50</td><td>$7.40</td><td>$9.90</td><td>$12.80</td></tr><tr><td>Child/Youth single trip</td><td>$2.60</td><td>$3.20</td><td>$3.70</td><td>$4.80</td><td>$6.40</td></tr></tbody></table>

A surcharge is levied when using the two privately operated stations serving Sydney Airport:

As of 14 Jul 2025	Adult cards	Other cards
Domestic or International Airport to/from all other stations	$17.92	$16.03
Domestic or International Airport to/from Green Square	$12.05	$12.05
Domestic or International Airport to/from Mascot	$9.65	$9.65
Domestic to/from International	$5.00	$5.00

As there are no return or periodical options available, reusable Opal cards include several caps to reduce the cost for frequent travellers:

As of 14 Jul 2025	Adult cards	Other concession cards	Senior/pensioner cards
Daily Mon–Thu	$19.30	$9.65	$2.50
Daily Fri, Sat and Sun	$9.65	$4.80	$2.50
Weekly	$50.00	$25.00	$17.50
Weekly airport station access fee	$36.36	$32.58	$32.58

The previous ticketing system was introduced in 1992 and was based on magnetic stripe technology. It was shut down in August 2016.