ONLY half the number of predicted passengers used Sydney’s Parramatta light rail line during its initial 11 months of operation, according to figures released to coincide with its one-year anniversary.
The 12km line, which cost $A 2.875bn ($US 1.93bn) and took five years to build, attracted an average of 12,000 daily passengers between January and November. This is short of the average of 22,000 that the state government had predicted the line would carry by 2026.
After numerous delays during testing due to electrical faults, the line, which runs from Carlingford to Westmead, opened on December 20 2024. The line has experienced a number of safety incidents during its first year of operation, with Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) confirming there have been numerous collisions with road vehicles at different locations.
Construction is underway on the 10km second phase of the line, which will add 14 stops. Phase 2 will run from Parramatta Square on the existing alignment, continuing west in Camellia to a new station at Sandown Boulevard, the location of the new stabling and maintenance facility, and terminating at Carter Street in Sydney Olympic Park. TfNSW believes this phase will grow patronage numbers long-term, with a lack of housing and destinations on the first phase blamed for the disappointing ridership.
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