The NRMA has welcomed the commitment from the NSW Government to move ahead with the crucial Parramatta Light Rail project and called for the Metro West to be completed as quickly as possible.
Both stages of the Parramatta Light Rail will provide vital connections across one of Australia’s fastest growing centres, linking communities with major health, education, commercial and entertainment precincts.
The NRMA knows first-hand the importance of ensuring that Stage Two of the Parramatta Light Rail project adequately services the Olympic Park precinct. The organisation’s headquarters are based there and, like countless other businesses in the district, its staff rely on public transport to get to work each day.
Hundreds of NRMA staff will benefit from this crucial infrastructure, as will millions of NRMA Members who will be able to easily access the cultural and entertainment precinct when it’s finished.
The NRMA is also calling on the Government to provide much-needed relief to the 100-year-old western line by fast-tracking the Metro West to create a new link between the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs.
NRMA Local Director David Bentham said a holistic approach to the growth of public transport services in the region was crucial to ensure the light rail project worked effectively alongside the Government’s Metro West plans.
“What we know is that our Members in Western Sydney are already feeling the pressure on their public transport systems and that the Government’s own forecasts demonstrate that the existing network will exceed capacity by 2031,” Mr Bentham said.
“That’s why we need to take the pressure off the crowded Western rail line by prioritising the Metro West line in time to ensure we can double the capacity between the city and Parramatta.
“Western Sydney’s existing heavy rail line is more than a century old. We need to get moving on these critical infrastructure projects to support the fast-paced growth that will occur in Western Sydney over the next century.”
Mr Bentham has urged the NSW and Australian Governments to work together to deliver a public transport link from Western Sydney to the new Western Sydney Airport.
“If the new airport in Western Sydney is built without adequate public transport links it will face problems from day one after a long wait – that’s not good for the region,” Mr Bentham said.
“Public transport for the airport must do more than just link CBDs, it is critical that it provides appropriate links to the whole region.
“Western Sydney’s transport projects and airport are key to unlocking the region’s enormous economic and tourism potential, which is why it’s so important we get it right.”
Contact: Saoirse Connolly
0437 048 169
