Today Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance released the Future Transport Strategy 2056. This strategy allows for commitment to many major public transport initiatives over the next few decades. These new projects are in addition to this already announced as part of Sydney Metro, Sydney Light Rail and the Western Sydney City Deal.
“By 2056, NSW will have more than 12 million residents and we want to improve public transport and roads so that by 2056, 70 per cent of people live within 30 minutes of where they work or study. For Sydney, people want more public transport projects committed to and work on major projects started sooner,” Mr Constance said.
In response to feedback, the NSW Government today committed to:
- Investigate a trial of on demand ferry services following the success of existing on demand bus pilots,
- Upgrading public transport along Parramatta and Victoria Roads within 10 years,
- Bring forward investigations into a new bus interchange serving the Western Parklands city around the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis,
- Improve services along the Richmond rail line and investigate passenger services to the Wilton growth area.
In the longer term, the NSW Government will:
- Explore the possibility of a rail link between Hurstville and Macquarie Park via Rhodes
- Improve the connection between Sydney and Western NSW by investigating a solution for crossing the Blue Mountains.
- Allow for expansion of the light rail network, including extensions to Maroubra and Coogee as well as investigations into new Parramatta light rail lines.
- Investigate rail links between Greater Parramatta with Epping, and Kogarah via Bankstown as part of a 10 -20 year strategy.
- Investigate the possibility of an extension of Sydney Metro to the South-East with a line to Malabar from the CBD via Eastlakes and Maroubra
- A rail link to connect Eastlakes with Sydney Airport, Kogarah and Miranda
The report has the proposal to implement the projects through the development of City-Shaping, City-Servcing as well as Centre-Connecting transport networks. The city shaping network will form the backbone of the transport network, with all day frequencies of 5 minute or better. The City serving network provides high capacity short distance connections to the CBDs with a frequency of 10 minutes or better all day. Centre-connecting services help to ensure that all of services and major centres are connect and run at a high frequency with lower capacity services or on-demand.
Building better connections between Regional centres and nearby communities is also a focus of Future Transport 2056, and traditional infrastructure will be upgraded with a new rail fleet on the way and potential electrification to Bathurst, Goulburn, Nowra and The Hunter.
Transport NSW Blog 
Possible extension of the Metro towards Eastgardens should be allowed for in the present construction. Build two levels of platforms at Waterloo with stub tunnels between Central and Waterloo for future non-conflicting branching. Spend just a little more now rather than a lot more later.
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This is a good idea. Ensuring that future infrastructure can be built without disruption should be prioritised, particularly if construction for an earlier project is in the planning stages. Unfortunately, I have a feeling the government will lack the foresight to implement this concept.
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An interesting concept. I think that City-Shaping, City-Servcing and Centre-Connecting transport networks seems to be a regurgitation of the Rapid, Suburban and Local networks concept from Sydney’s Bus Future.
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I have to agree with you there. I have a feeling that they wanted to bring the concept of Rapid, Suburban and Local bus services and translate them to rail and ferries which led to the creation of the City-Shaping, City-Servcing and Centre-Connecting terms. I believe that they are good strategies and should hopefully build a better more cohesive transport network.
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Light Rail trams should be extended down to Coogee and Little Bay, good to see perhaps some expansion will happen!
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Why do you say INvestigate western NSW by 2056 it is growing those moving there are in there later years need public transport as the won’t be able to drive and that will happen with in ten years ! Why not start now not look into it ?
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By investigating connections to Western NSW now they are looking into it. Its inclusion in the report suggest that it is a priority for the government and will be completed within the next few decades.
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