The first intercity Mariyung train takes to the tracks on the Blue Mountains Line today, bringing a new level of comfort, safety and improved reliability for passengers from Lithgow, through the mountains to Sydney.
Bound for Central Station, the first Mariyung on the line is due to leave Lithgow at 6.24am Monday.
This is a late-running departure of almost six years, based on the former Liberal-National government's promise to have the new intercity train in service on the Blue Mountains Line by 2020.
It was the Blue Mountains Line that needed a hasty program of modifications to widen tunnels and expand train platforms to accommodate the Mariyung.
The total budget blew out from $2.8 billion to just under $4.1 billion due to the botched introduction by the Liberals.
The inaugural service is scheduled to stop at most stations along the Blue Mountains Line, including Penrith, Katoomba, Blacktown, Parramatta and Springwood.
The Mariyung fleet will gradually replace the V-Sets that have served the Blue Mountains Line since the 1970s and have become a magnet for vandals and graffiti. The Mariyung has closed-circuit television systems throughout to deter anti-social behaviour.
The Mariyung offer spacious and comfortable two-by-two seating, a quieter, air-conditioned journey, luggage racks, and improved accessibility.
The seating includes tray tables, arm rests, high seat backs and charging ports for mobile devices, and on-board digital information screens.
Initial deployment will commence with both 10-car and 6-car train operations. The 10-car trains can seat 823 passengers while the 6-car trains can seat 500 passengers.
Blacktown, Linden, Leura, Hazelbrook, Blackheath and Faulconbridge are among the stations on the Blue Mountains line where platforms are not long enough for 10-carriage trains and doors on certain carriages at the front of the train and will not open at those.
This is the second phase of the rollout of the Mariyung fleet. The Mariyung first entered service on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line on 3 December last year. The fleet will be rolled out on the South Coast Line in 2026.
The introduction of the Mariyung will allow for the Oscar fleet, which debuted in December 2006, to be fully refurbished as it transitions to Suburban running.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"Let's acknowledge the bleeding obvious here, that long-suffering Blue Mountains Line passengers waited far too long to see this new intercity train in service. Six years too long, in fact, due to the botched introduction overseen by the former government.
"The Blue Mountains Line was ground zero for this debacle when it became obvious to the Liberals that the trains they bought overseas were too wide for some tunnels in the Mountains and too long for a string of stations.
"The very good news is the Mariyung has arrived, and it will significantly improve the commute back and forth to Sydney for the communities along its length.
"As we focus on improving the reliability of the whole Sydney Trains system, introducing trains that are up to 50 years younger than the existing fleet can only be an improvement for this line."
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"Today marks a major step forward for regional transport in NSW.
"From Lithgow to Sydney, the Blue Mountains Line is a vital link for thousands of regional commuters. The new Mariyung trains will make those journeys safer, smoother and more enjoyable - connecting people to jobs, education and essential services.
"This rollout is about more than new trains, it's about investing in regional infrastructure, creating local jobs, and ensuring our transport system meets the needs of communities outside the city."
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said:
"My community in the Blue Mountains has felt every long month and year as we waited on the new trains promised by the former government.
"My thanks to the railway workers and RTBU who insisted on attending to some serious initial deficiencies and concerns with the NIF design, to ensure passengers and crew can travel safely.
"The V-sets have served Blue Mountains train passengers with distinction, but we are very much ready for the new chapter on our intercity line."
Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM said:
"I know Penrith passengers are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of these modern trains, and I am looking forward to seeing these trains out on the tracks.
"People of all abilities can now travel with confidence and independence on the Blue Mountains line, with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, accessible toilets, and easier boarding."
Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali said:
"Rail commuters in Blacktown will experience a reliable, accessible and safe service on the Blue Mountains line starting from today."
"The state-of-the-art Mariyung intercity trains with their improved accessibility, safety, and amenities with provide a smoother and more comfortable service for Blacktown commuters."
Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:
"Passengers travelling from Parramatta on the Blue Mountains line will have a more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come.
"It's fantastic that the new Mariyung trains have hit the tracks today. The upgraded fleet will make travelling a much more pleasant experience for Parramatta residents, and all that board that train."
