Sydney: Parramatta Light Rail starts testing

by Editorial | UTM

On 21 December 2023, the first test runs took place on the route of the new tram in the west of the Australian metropolitan region of Sydney – on the so-called Parramatta Light Rail. This fourth low-floor tram, which will operate independently of the other three lines, is scheduled to start running in 2024. The first phase of the project comprises 12 km of track with 16 stops between Westmead and Carlingford and connects to the suburban railway in the centre of Sydney. It utilises parts of the rebuilt, former suburban railway line to Carlingford and runs on a separate double track throughout. Between Westmead and Ngara as well as Prince Alfred Square and Tramway Avenue, the railway runs catenary-free, powered by the traction batteries on board the vehicles. A second project phase with a branch from Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park is foreseen at a later stage.

© NSW Government
A map of the public rail transport in Greater Sydney including the light rail lines is available at:
https://www.urbanrail.net/au/sydney/sydney-map.htm

The Spanish CAF Group is part of the Great River City Rail Light consortium, which consists of CAF Rail Australia and Transdev Australasia and is responsible for the construction and the first eight years of operation (+ option for a further 10 years) of the new Parramatta Light Rail system. In addition to the rolling stock, CAF is also providing the trackside equipment and its integration, including the traction system, the substations, the signalling system and the control and communications centre.

The 13 seven-section trams are CAF’s 100% low-floor model Urbos 3 for easier and faster passenger access. The vehicles are equipped with the Greentech Freedrive technology equipped with lithium batteries so that they can run catenary-free along some sections of the line.