Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
NSW scraps planned rail timetable changes after commuter backlash
The NSW government has cancelled planned changes to Sydney and Illawarra train services after commuters and local MPs raised concerns.
The changes to the T4, T8 and South Coast lines were due to start on November 15.
They were intended to add more frequent services, but some journeys would have taken longer.
Passengers from Wollongong were concerned about losing direct trips to Sydney Airport, while some T8 passengers would have needed extra changes to reach other stations.
The government says the existing timetable will remain in place.
Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister John Graham said the focus would be on improving reliability across the current network.
The government says it will work with communities on future service improvements.
The NSW government has scrapped planned train timetable changes after commuters raised concerns.
The changes were due to begin on November 15 and affect the T4, T8 and South Coast lines.
The government had proposed more frequent services and additional capacity, but some trips were expected to take longer.
Premier Chris Minns said the existing timetable would remain in place.
The government said it would focus on reliability while working with communities on future service improvements.
- Who
- The NSW government, led by Premier Chris Minns, scrapped the changes after concerns from commuters and local MPs.
- What
- Planned timetable changes on the T4, T8 and South Coast lines will not go ahead.
- When
- The decision was announced on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The changes had been due to begin on November 15.
- Where
- Sydney and the Illawarra, including the South Coast rail line.
- Why
- Communities raised concerns about the changes, including longer journeys and less direct trips to Sydney Airport for some passengers.
Commuters and local MPs
NSW government
Journey times and connections
Commuters and local MPs
Some commuters opposed the proposed changes, including because some trips could take longer and some journeys would require extra changes.
NSW government
The government said the changes would provide more frequent services and additional capacity.
Service changes
Commuters and local MPs
Commuters raised concerns about the proposed timetable.
NSW government
The government initially proposed changes to untangle lines and reduce bottlenecks, but later said it would focus on reliability within the existing network.
The NSW government announced proposed timetable changes for the T4, T8 and South Coast lines.
The government said the changes would not go ahead and that the existing timetable would remain in place.
The scrapped changes had been due to take effect.
- Affected lines
- T4, T8 and South Coast
- Planned start date
- November 15
- Premier
- Chris Minns
- Minister for Transport
- John Graham
- Proposed service aim
- More frequent services and additional capacity
What people are saying
We've listened to commuters and local MPs, and we're not proceeding with these timetable changes
Our focus is on improving reliability across the existing network, while continuing to work with communities on future service improvements