North West Rail Link to slash travel times

Families, commuters, workers and students in Sydney’s North West will enjoy better access to the rest of the city and much quicker journey times under the North West Rail Link, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said today.

The rail link will make the trip to work quicker for commuters using public transport to get into the city, with savings of almost 30 per cent in travelling times expected.

And journey times within the North West and to places like Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Chatswood and North Sydney are expected to be slashed by up to half.

"A commuter travelling between the Hills Centre and Town Hall will save up to 3½ hours a week compared to the current fastest public transport of taking the bus," Ms Berejiklian said.

"That’s 3½ hours a week commuters will be able to spend at home with their families, or doing something much more productive than sitting or standing on a bus into the city.

"For the first time, the people of the North West will have the real option of getting out of their cars and using a reliable heavy rail public transport service.

"For a student living in Bella Vista and travelling to Macquarie University, the daily return trip on public transport will be half as long as it is now, saving almost an hour a day or more than four hours a week."

Transport for NSW data also shows a commuter currently using public transport to get from Rouse Hill to St Leonards can expect to save more 80 minutes a day or seven hours a week.

"Importantly, the North West Rail Link will provide major time savings right across the day for people travelling to other parts of the North West as well as the important education and jobs centres at Macquarie park, Chatswood and North Sydney," Ms Berejiklian said.

North West Rail Link to slash travel times (pdf 151KB)