Newcastle and Central Coast passengers were the first to enjoy Sydney Trains’ new Mariyung train which rolled out of Newcastle Interchange on its first ever passenger service.
The first Mariyung Train to carry passengers began its journey Tuesday December 2 r from Newcastle Interchange to Sydney Terminal at 8:21am, stopping at 20 stations, including Hamilton, Broadmeadow, Cardiff, Fassifern, Morisset, Wyee, Warnervale, Wyong, Tuggerah, Gosford, Point Clare, Tascott, Koolewong, Woy Woy, Berowra, Hornsby, Epping, Strathfield, before arriving at Sydney Terminal.
New Mariyung trains will have “unmatched level of comfort”
The company says the first new intercity trains in almost two decades will provide the millions of train passengers who travel on the Newcastle and the Central Coast line each year with an unmatched level of comfort.
Passengers will enjoy a much quieter journey with modern air-conditioning, dedicated luggage spaces, and easier to read information screens as well as enhanced safety, improved accessibility and more spacious and comfortable seating.
Closed-circuit television systems throughout the new trains will enhance the safety and security of passengers and staff and help deter anti-social and criminal activity.
The older trains have been a hotspot for trespassers, graffiti vandals and other antisocial behaviors but the Mariyung will house the latest in-train surveillance.
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.
The new state-of-the-art 610-carriage fleet offers two-by-two seating for extra room with tray tables, arm rests, high seat backs and charging ports for mobile devices.
The Mariyung also offers the highest level of accessibility across the Sydney Trains fleet, with designated spaces for wheelchairs, bikes, prams and accessible toilets.
The locally modified Mariyung trains, built by Hyunday Rotem, will progressively enter service on the Central Coast and Newcastle line over the coming months before it is rolled out on the Blue Mountains Line, and the South Coast Line.
They will also 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.
The express service will stop at 20 stations between Newcastle and Central Station initially, with an all-stations service available next year, as more trains progressively enter service.
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.
Modifications to the Mariyung fleet have been undertaken locally after an agreement with the Rail Tram and Bus Union in August 2023.
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.
“It should have never taken this long but the wait is finally over. Passengers on the Newcastle and the Central Coast line can finally enjoy the Mariyung trains. I’m so glad to be able to join passengers and our staff to welcome the first Mariyung service to Sydney. These trains will deliver for the communities on the Hunter and Central Coast Line for decades now that we have finally been able to get them on the tracks.
These state-of-the-art trains will make travel between Sydney and our regional cities safer and more comfortable. Passengers on the Hunter and Central Coast Line will be the first to get them, but they will be coming to the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra and South Coast too.” 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,” Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen said.
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