The tram line received its safety tick to run from the rail regulator this week after months of rigorous safety testing and commissioning and an ongoing public safety campaign to remind the community about trams.
Tram doors will open on the new L4 Westmead & Carlingford Line on, with first passenger services from Carlingford and Westmead light rail stops tomorrow [Friday 20 December] at 5.00am and at Parramatta Square at 5:02am.
Parramatta Light Rail is a 12km tramway with 16 stops between Westmead and Carlingford with each tram able to carry up to 400 people. It connects Parramatta to the Westmead Health Precinct, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta Square, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses.
The $2.875b project has been built and will be run and maintained by Great River City Light Rail (GRCLR), a joint venture between Transdev and CAF.
GRCLR Chair and Transdev Australia and New Zealand CEO Brian Brennan said bringing the trams back to Parramatta was a historic and proud moment.
“This really is such transformational public transport that will open up Parramatta and support the liveability and growth of Western Sydney for the years ahead,” Mr Brennan said.
“Our journey makers are ready to serve customers and can’t wait for people to experience the trams – like we do on Sydney’s existing three tram lines.
“The NSW Government’s investment in light rail is enabling and supporting so many Sydney communities.
“Public transport is such a powerful enabler for growing cities.”
CAF Rail Australia Director Pedro Pellon said CAF was proud to be a key partner in the delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail.
“We’re pleased CAF continues delivering transport solutions to NSW with Parramatta Light Rail, a game changing project for Western Sydney,” Mr Pellon said.
“The strong partnership between TfNSW, Transdev and CAF has made it possible to deliver a complex project that will change the way of commuting for thousands of people.”
To date, the project has provided employment to 3420 people with a core Parramatta Light Rail team of about 150 people, including 55 drivers.
60% of frontline staff are Western Sydney residents and 40% of frontline staff are women, working as drivers, authorised officers, customer service officers and network controllers. Collaborations with employment and community service providers opened opportunities for jobseekers with disabilities, first nation peoples and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Mr Brennan said he thanked the community for its patience during construction and the entire Parramatta team to have the trams ready for Christmas.
“Big thanks to our whole team, including our partners and contractors from CAF and Laing O’Rouke, who have done well to get the trams running.”
For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/parramatta-light-rail
Parramatta Light Rail fast facts:
- L4: Sydney’s 4th tram line
- 12km between Westmead and Carlingford
- 16 accessible stops
- Weekday services: every 9mins in peak 7am-7pm, 12-16mins off-peak
- Weekend services: every 12mins in peak 7am-7pm, 16mins in off peak
- 13 trams weighing 63 tonnes each, able to carry up to 400 people
- First NSW green track – 1.3kms (no overhead wiring)