In late December 2024, passengers started boarding modern and comfortable air-conditioned light rail vehicles on the new 12-kilometre L4 Westmead & Carlingford Line, with frequent and reliable services across 16 accessible stops.
The opening passenger service involved three light rail vehicles commence concurrently from the Westmead and Carlingford light rail stops at 5am, and Parramatta Square at 5:02am.
The L4 Line launched to a weekday timetable, with initial services every nine minutes between 7am to 7pm; every 12 minutes between 5am and 7am and 7pm and 11pm; and every 16 minutes between 11pm to 1am.
The 13 new 45-metre-long light rail vehicles can each move up to 400 people, making it easier for residents and visitors to connect to and move through Sydney’s second CBD. Minister for Transport Jo Haylen congratulated everyone who has been part of bringing the mega project to life in Parramatta.
“This is the public transport network Western Sydney has been waiting for and will provide economic and social benefits for years to come,” she said.
“By investing in projects like the Parramatta Light Rail, we’re helping our city grow around key public transport links. The L4 will connect some of our fastest growing communities and premier destinations in the area, making it easier for people to live, visit and work here. I want to thank the more than 15,500 workers who have played a part in delivering this piece of transport history.”
The new light rail line provides connections to key destinations, including the Westmead Health Precinct, CommBank Stadium, Riverside Theatres, more than 60 cafes and restaurants on and around Church Street, Parramatta Square, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, and three Western Sydney University campuses.
The L4 Line is part of the Transport Opal network – passengers can tap on and off at Opal card readers located at each light rail stop, with ticket machines at Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital and Ngara stops.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said that while people become familiar with sharing the road with light rail, Transport for NSW urges everyone to be careful and mindful when driving, riding a bike, or walking nearby.
“The trams are big and can’t swerve, so it is important that people keep an eye out for them, and always stop, listen, and look around,” he said. “There will be Customer Service Officers, along with street teams in red shirts, on the ground, ready to answer questions about the new service.
“We’re asking people to plan ahead at transportnsw.info or via the Opal Travel app.”
Audio help points are also located at each stop which connect directly to staff at Parramatta Light Rail’s Operations Control Centre.
Parramatta Light Rail is the first light rail project in the state to deliver ‘green track’, incorporating it with wire-free technology, in parklands and heritage-sensitive environments along 1.3 kilometres of the alignment. The award-winning ‘green track’ design used 81 per cent less concrete in its construction, reduces noise and urban heat, and delivers environmental and health benefits.
Additionally, a new 5.7 kilometre walking and bike riding path between Carlingford and Parramatta opened to the public in May 2023 as part of the project, providing residents and visitors with more active transport options. Cyclists will benefit from 160 new bike hoops located near the majority of the light rail stops across the alignment, with the trams equipped with four bike spots.
Parramatta Light Rail has converted the former single-track T6 Carlingford Line between Camellia and Carlingford, which ran two train services per hour and stopped 70,000 drivers each day at the historic level crossing on Parramatta Road, Granville to dual-track light rail. This will provide residents with more frequent services and better connections to town centres, including Parramatta and the Sydney Central Business District.
With the Parramatta Light Rail now operational, bus routes 535, which ran along the Carlingford to Parramatta alignment during construction and testing, and the 900 Parramatta shuttle bus will be withdrawn from service.
By 2026, about 22,000 people are expected to use Parramatta Light Rail every day, with an estimated 130,000 people living within walking distance of the 16 light rail stops.
Parramatta Light Rail was delivered by Ford Civil, Ventia, Diona Ward Joint Venture, Parramatta Connect (CPB Contractors and Downer Joint Venture), Great River City Light Rail consortium (Transdev and CAF Rail Australia), and their subcontractors.
In the 2024-25 Budget, the New South Wales Government committed $2.1 billion to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to extend Stage 1 and further connect growing communities in Western Sydney between Ermington, Melrose Park, Parramatta, and Olympic Park.
In February 2025, early works commenced on the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works project to deliver the first 1.3 kilometre light rail alignment. This will include a 320-metre public and active transport bridge between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park. Major bridge construction is expected to commence in 2025.
The Parramatta Light Rail stages 1 and 2 network from Westmead to Sydney Olympic Park will support the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) priority growth area, one of Sydney’s fastest growing areas.
With GPOP’s population expected to exceed 277,000 by 2041, light rail will be critical to serve this growing demand and connect residents to key employment hubs, entertainment, and amenities.
Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis, said it is an exciting time for Parramatta, it now has access to a modern and reliable light rail service and new active transport links.
“Delivering a major infrastructure project in the heart of our historic city has been challenging and I want to thank the local community for their patience,” she said. “The big day has finally come Parramatta, enjoy!”
