Gladys Berejiklian Med Rel – Budget delivers on NSW Government promise to build major infrastructure and improve services

Customers will benefit from a $9 billion investment in the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government’s 2014-15 Budget to expand infrastructure and boost public transport services, including more than $1.5 billion this year alone to build new rail and light rail lines.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the Budget supports the NSW Government’s commitment to build the transport infrastructure needed for the future, while delivering the improvements customers expect today.

“The Budget includes $863 million to get on with major construction of the $8.3 billion North West Rail Link – Australia’s first fully automated, high capacity rapid transit network for Sydney’s growing North West region,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This vital project is well underway, with the first of four tunnel boring machines on track to be in the ground by October.

“I am pleased that $7 million has also been included in this year’s Budget for more detailed planning work on the new Sydney Rapid Transit rail network, extending from the North West Rail Link west to Bankstown, including a second Harbour rail crossing. If this project is to ever get off the ground, work needs to start now.

“This once-in-a-generation rail project will include three new CBD underground stations and unlock a major bottleneck in the CBD, delivering 60 per cent more trains in the peak across the rail network and catering for an extra 100,000 people per hour.

“Another significant milestone has also been revealed, with $103 million in the Budget to finalise construction of the $2.1 billion South West Rail Link and ensure services are ready to start for customers in 2015, one year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget.”

The Budget also puts a priority on light rail projects that will play a central role in the future of transport in Sydney, Western Sydney and Newcastle – with $400 million set aside to accelerate light rail for Parramatta.

“The NSW Government has already committed funding to start work immediately on identifying the highest priority corridor for the introduction of light rail in Western Sydney and carry out a detailed feasibility study,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Today’s $400 million Budget announcement means funds are now reserved to progress these plans for light rail in Parramatta, Sydney’s second CBD, subject to feasibility.”

With the popular Inner West Light Rail Extension now open, the Government has the runs on the board to bring this popular mode of transport to Western Sydney.

“$265 million has been included in this year’s Budget to start major construction of a high capacity and reliable light rail network linking the Sydney CBD with sporting, health and education precincts in the South East, after planning approval was achieved earlier this month,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian said as well as delivering the transformational projects needed to increase future capacity of the transport network, the NSW Budget includes funding for projects that will significantly improve the daily commute of thousands of customers.

“More than $60 million will be spent in the next 12 months refreshing and modernising train stations across the network and $66 million will be spent to deliver a much-needed $100 million upgrade of Wynyard Station,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“New car parking and major access upgrades at stations, wharves and interchanges will continue, with $193 million committed in the next 12 months as part of the Transport Access Program, with more than 100 projects currently underway.

“Work will also begin on a new ferry hub at Barangaroo to connect customers to the CBD and provide additional capacity on the ferry network, with $17 million in 2014-15 to start site investigations and community consultation. $1.5 million will also be spent on the procurement of new ferry vessels for Sydney Harbour.”

This Budget builds on the major improvements already being delivered for customers on trains, buses, ferries and light rail, with the roll out of Opal electronic ticketing and more than 8,000 additional weekly services added since March 2011.

“Bus customers from Sydney, Western Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra will benefit from new buses and extra services, with $91 million for 199 new buses to expand the fleet and replace vehicles,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“A total of $5 million has been allocated to begin procurement for the new $2.8 billion fleet of intercity trains, due to be rolled out progressively from 2019.

“The Budget also includes a transport package to develop a Northern Beaches Bus Rapid Transit network to reduce congestion and cut daily travel times on major bus routes to and from the Northern Beaches.”

A commitment of $157 million will see the continued rollout of Opal electronic ticketing to all suburban and intercity trains, ferries, regular bus services and light rail, giving customers access to cheaper and more convenient travel.