The Sydney to Canberra rail corridor will get $100 million of work done under the 2026-27 Federal Budget that is being released today (Tuesday, May 12).
Funding will be shared between the Commonwealth ($50m) and the NSW and ACT governments ($25m each), Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says.
Details were released yesterday (April 11) a day ahead the release.
Work is due to start this year and take five years. It will involve:
- Studies into new express services.
- New boom gates and lights at level crossings.
- Better track alignments and turnouts.
- Upgrades to stations and stabling.
- Planning and design for the next phase of works which could include passing loops, track recanting and straightening.
SYDNEY RAIL SERVICES
The 321-kilometre corridor includes the Sydney Trains service between Sydney’s Central station and Macarthur, a ARTC service through the Southern Highlands to Goulburn and UGL Regional Linx Country Regional Network (CRN) line into Canberra.
The immediate focus will be on improvements to the Goulburn-Canberra line to complement trackwork under way on the Goulburn-Sydney line.
A business case will also be drawn up to map out network upgrades and timetable improvements.
The new work is in addition to the NSW Government spending on a new regional rail fleet comprising of 29 trains with bi-modal power capabilities.
“More than 3000 people travel between Sydney and Canberra by air or coach every day, with tens of thousands more driving down the Federal Highway,” King points out.
“So many of these regular commuters have consistently
called for a more frequent and faster rail alternative.”
Finance Minister and Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher says improving the Sydney-Canberra line will make train travel between the two cities faster and more attractive to travellers.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says Canberra residents deserve a modern rail link after spending nearly 10 years pushing for it.
“It’s a promise we took to the ACT election. Finally, we have a funding commitment that will make faster rail a reality and that recognises the importance of this project for our region.”
He tols a press conference that the new rail travel time between Sydney and Canberra is expected to be under four hours.
NSW Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison says the work will improve regional travel options.
“This investment will improve travel times between Canberra and Sydney, as well as communities like Queanbeyan, Goulburn and those on the Southern Highlands line,” she says.
Aitchinson says testing is under way on 11 trains in its new regional fleet.
The new trains will use overhead electric and diesel power; the first are due to enter service on the Sydney-Dubbo line in 2028.
The new fleet will replace the XPT, Xplorer and Endeavour fleets and will run into Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.
MORE NSW TRAINS NEWS: Revamp for rural-regional coach link service
