Parramatta Light Rail named L4 enters final testing phase

Parramatta Light Rail enters final testing phase as network’s name is revealed
Thursday, 4 July 2024
Parramatta Light Rail is on the home stretch to service Western Sydney communities in the coming months, set to enter the final stage of testing and officially named the L4.
Final preparations for passenger services are now underway, with the project shifting into ‘trial running’ on Monday 8 July.
This will see a series of interactive drills undertaken that replicate potential incidents and recovery plans, such as systems breaking down or situations involving emergency services.
Trams will be running in both directions between Westmead and Carlingford, from 5am to 1am, testing the operator’s ability to deliver the final timetable and identifying any issues before passenger services commence.
The community is reminded to stop, listen and look around when driving, walking or riding near the tracks, and to follow new traffic signals, as trams run regularly through Parramatta for the first time in decades.
This is a significant next step in the extensive testing program before approval is granted by the independent national rail safety regulator, permitting passengers to get on board.
While passenger information displays on light rail vehicles and platforms will be activated as part of testing, and doors will open and close, passengers will not be allowed to board.
The milestone means integration testing of the new infrastructure is now complete, which demonstrates the 45-metre-long light rail vehicles, tracks, 16 stops and systems are all working reliably along the 12-kilometre alignment.
Almost four kilometres of the light rail alignment uses wire-free technology. This includes at the Westmead terminus to minimise impacts of electrical wires and other tram infrastructure close to hospital buildings.
When operational, the light rail network will support 150 jobs in Western Sydney, based out of the now fully operational Stabling and Maintenance facility in Camellia. This includes operations and ground staff, engineers, maintenance workers and drivers. All 53 driver positions have now been filled and training is progressing well.
When the full Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 timetable launches, passengers will have access to reliable, modern and comfortable trams every 7.5 minutes in the peak between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD.
In the 2024-25 Budget, the Minns Labor Government committed $2.1 billion to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to further connect growing communities in Western Sydney between Ermington, Melrose Park, Parramatta and Olympic Park.
This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to build better communities close to essential services they can rely on.
The L4 will ensure new housing in the region is well-connected to the Parramatta CBD, along with the Westmead healthcare precinct, schools and university campuses.
On July 1, the state-led rezoning for Parramatta's Church Street North precinct, alongside the light rail, came into effect. It allows for up to 1,800 new homes to be built as part of a revitalisation of the precinct.
This helps transform an ageing area in need of renewal while tackling the housing crisis right on the doorstep of Sydney's second largest CBD.
The L4 accompanied by new homes forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW, tackling the housing supply crisis with well-built homes in well-located areas to avoid becoming a city with no young people.
The new route joins the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line as part of the Sydney light rail network.

[@Sydney_Mapz]

Bet they will make a light rail from Liverpool to Parramatta via Merrylands

[@thomasbarca9297]

They can use the t way route for the light rail

[@hairgrowthjourney9005]

Hopefully, or at least a metro from Campbelltown region to Parramatta instead of having to catch a million trains to get there.

[@williamchirgwin8754]

it is infuriating that the NSW government ever got rid of light rail in Sydney. Great to see it back after so long in Parramatta. Up until the early 1960s Sydney had the largest tram network in the work. Then overnight it was shut down.

[@anguscovoflyer95]

Maybe now you can toy a full pov video of the line

[@RAM_845]

Will Penrith eventually get its own Light Rail? it would be nice, Penrith to St Mary's LR.

[@xr6lad]

Why spend all that money when ten buses do the same for 20% of the cost. And more flexibility.

[@RAM_845]

@@xr6lad because buses are unreliable and NEVER ontime due to time of day and traffic

[@asjeot]

Won't happen any time soon

[@RAM_845]

@@asjeot What makes you say that? people said teh same Parramatta before the Light Rail happened.

[@CB2C]

@@xr6lad I'm not familiar with the area but light rail can transport far more people than busses can

[@laurencetrieu9512]

This is it