Record investment in Sydney Trains to boost maintenance, improve reliability and incident response
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
A record investment of $2.1 billion in maintenance will go into improving reliability and incident response on the Sydney Trains network.
As part of the 2026/2027 Budget, the Minns Labor Government’s record investment in a new Rail Reliability Plan delivers:
- An additional $200 million for network maintenance compared to last year.
- $150 million over four years to deliver improvements at the Rail Operations Centre, including improved incident response and passenger support.
- More train drivers and guards for intercity services, delivering better reliability for passengers travelling between Sydney, the Illawarra, Central Coast, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and beyond.
- Track, power and signalling improvements.
While the Minns Labor Government is delivering the massive Sydney Metro build across three lines, we are also investing in the vast, existing heavy rail network that moves just over a million people each weekday, to work, school, university, appointments and social events.
The targeted spend on improving maintenance, incident management, use of technology and passenger communications is guided by the findings of the Independent Rail Review into the overhead wire failure at Homebush that caused two days of chaos for commuters in May 2025.
The Review, delivered by Dr Kerry Schott in 2025, called for better targeted infrastructure maintenance in “critical zones” like the Homebush-Strathfield corridor.
The Minns Labor Government responded with an additional four-year $425 million asset renewal program that is upgrading track, signals, overhead wiring and drainage in flood-prone areas.
A dedicated $35 million reliability program has fast-tracked repairs in high-priority areas where infrastructure failures have the greatest flow-on impact to the most passengers across multiple train lines.
Investment in the Rail Operations Centre will improve incident response and customer communication after the former Liberal-National government cancelled plans for a customer information management system due to a $50 million budget overrun before the Centre opened in 2018.
The investment in reliability is also funding a new passenger care and support team whose focus is on passenger welfare during major disruptions. The team is being deployed dynamically based on the size and complexity of incidents, supporting customers onboard trains, at impacted stations, and at key interchanges during recovery.
The team will provide clear, face-to-face communication, deliver basic welfare support like water during delays, assist vulnerable passengers, and help people continue their journeys via alternative transport options.
New trains are a critical way to boost reliability, and the Minns Labor Government has introduced the first new intercity trains in almost 20 years, with the Mariyung now in service on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, Blue Mountains Line and South Coast Line.
This has allowed for older trains to be retired and others refurbished for use on Sydney lines.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“The vast Sydney Trains network of 14 lines, 288 stations and more than 1790 kilometres of track remains the backbone of the rail system and we are investing a record amount to ensure it delivers the reliable service that more than a million passengers a day rightly demand.
“While the former Liberal-National government overlooked the existing train network, we are delivering the targeted maintenance in the critical zones that is needed to improve on-time running.
“The 12 recommendations of the Independent Rail Review remain the blueprint for how we prioritise maintenance, but also deploy new technology, and raise standards around customer care during disruption or communicate to passengers on stations.
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“Passengers expect a rail system that is reliable, resilient and ready to meet demands of a growing population. This investment will deliver exactly that.
“It will help strengthen the foundations of the entire network, from critical upgrades, through to better incident response, and crucial passenger support.
“Any issues on the metropolitan rail network can have flow-on impacts to reliability and travel times for regional services. Better maintenance on key intercity routes means better outcomes for regional passengers across NSW.
“This investment, on top of the $100 million in joint funding in this Budget for upgrades to the rail corridor between Sydney and Canberra, ensures the entire system can continue to serve passengers for generations.”
Transport Secretary Josh Murray said:
“This is a significant step forward in strengthening the operational foundations of the rail network.
“We know reliability depends on more than just the recent investments to fleet and infrastructure; it depends on having a well-resourced, well-coordinated workforce supported by strong planning and decision-making.
“This funding enables a more integrated approach to operations—from workforce planning through to real-time service delivery—reducing risk and improving performance.
“Over time, passengers will see the benefit in more consistent services and a network that is better equipped to handle disruption.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:
“This investment strengthens reliability end-to-end—from upgrading critical infrastructure through to improving incident response, crewing and passenger support.
“Enhancements at the Rail Operations Centre will deliver better decision-making across the network and improve incident response capability.“
“Importantly, the Passenger Care & Support team will ensure we are looking after our customers during disruptions, providing clear information and practical support when it matters most.”
