In a story five years in the making, Newcastle and Central Coast passengers will be the first to enjoy Sydney Trains’ new Mariyung fleet when it rolls out of Newcastle Interchange for its first passenger service on Tuesday, December 3.
The first Mariyung Train will begin its journey from Newcastle Interchange to Sydney Terminal at 8:21am, stopping at 20 stations, including Newcastle Interchange, Hamilton, Broadmeadow, Cardiff, Fassifern, Morisset, Wyee, Warnervale, Wyong, Tuggerah, Gosford, Point Clare, Tascott, Koolewong, Woy Woy, Berowra, Hornsby, Epping, Strathfield, and Sydney Terminal.
After years of delays under the former Liberal Government, which awarded the contract for the fleet in 2016, the Minns Labor Government came to an agreement on the final operating model with the rail workforce in August 2023 which meant the Government could finally press ahead with getting these trains on the tracks.
The operating model for the fleet has also been signed off and approved by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.
So far, fifteen Mariyung train sets have been completely modified by local workers at Kangy Angy. Two of those sets will begin service on December 3, while the rest go through the rigorous safety testing regime before being progressively rolled out along the Central Coast and Newcastle Line.
Mariyung Trains will then be progressively rolled out on the Blue Mountains Line and the South Coast Line.
Modifications include relocation of CCTV viewing screens and passenger door controls, changes to the digital radio system, adjustments to fire detection management and fire-resistant materials, and emergency door release functions.
Modifications have also been made within the rail corridor to support the changes made to the Mariyung fleet operating model, including station platform extensions, relocation of train stopping markers, signaling equipment and overhead wiring structures.
The New Intercity Fleet will set a new standard of travel for commuters who make approximately 26 million journeys a year on the electrified intercity network.
The improvements include wider, more spacious two-by-two seating with arm rests, tray tables, and high seat backs, charging ports for mobile devices, dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles, and modern heating and air conditioning.
They will also open up greater options for travel for people with disabilities and mobility issues with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and accessible toilets.
Last year, more than 12.7 million trips were taken along the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, and it’s hoped the much-anticipated new fleet will boost patronage.
Named after the Darug word for Emu, the Mariyung can operate in 4-car, 6-car, 8-car or 10-car configurations, and seat more than 820 passengers in a 10-carriage train.
The Mariyung trains will progressively replace older fleets including the V-sets, that were first introduced to NSW in the 1970s and the Oscar trains that debuted in 2006.
Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said:
“It should have never taken this long but the wait is finally over. The Mariyung trains will finally be on the tracks from December 3 this year. They’ll provide a massively improved level of comfort for all our passengers travelling between Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.
“These trains were supposed to be on the tracks 5 years ago. It’s been a priority of mine to ensure that we got them out of sheds and on the tracks by the end of this year. I’m incredibly proud that our Government has been able to deliver that.
“I also want to thank our rail staff for working with us to get these trains ready. This is an example of what can happen when the government and the rail workforce work together.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:
“Today is an exciting chapter for our staff and our customers and especially those passengers travelling to and from Sydney on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line.
“The Mariyung trains are quieter and roomier and will provide our passengers with a much improved and more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come.”
“This project has been incredibly complex, but we are pleased we have been able to work in consultation with our workforce to locally modify these trains and get them into service.”