4th February 2019
The NSW Government has announced a plan to introduce a major high-speed rail network that could slash commute times by up to 75 per cent
The plan compromises of four different routes within a 300km radius of Sydney Harbour. The northern route will include the Central Coast, Taree, Newcastle and Port Macquarie. The southern inland route will stop at destinations such as Canberra and Goulburn. The western route includes towns such as Bathurst, Orange and Lithgow, and the southern costal route will include Nowra and Wollongong.
The trains on this high-speed network are estimated to be able to reach speeds over 200km/h and will significantly reduce journey times.
Premier, Gladys Berejilikan stated that the rail network will be vital for NSW's future.
"We know a fast rail network will transform NSW unlike any other project and we will make it a reality," she said.
"We need to make it easier for people to consider moving to regional NSW and there is no better way to do that than building a fast rail network."
To travel from Sydney to Canberra on the current NSW rail network, it will take 4 hours and 7 minutes. With the new high-speed rail network technology, it will take just 1 hour.
Travelling from Sydney to Wollongong currently takes 1 hour and 25 minutes, but with the proposed changes, the journey could be reduced to just 30 minutes.
Additionally, travelling to Newcastle from Sydney currently takes 2 hours and 35 minutes, but with the new high-speed rail, it will take just 45 minutes.
To implement the project, the NSW government recently appointed high-speed rail network expert, Professor Andrew McNaughton.
Professor McNaughton revealed to reporters that the project will have some geographical challenges, however there is no reason why NSW won't be able to enjoy high-speed rail.
To learn more about Australia's rail network, visit our journey planner guide.
