Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today said NSW TrainLink customers will from this week have double the number of quiet carriages, making intercity train journeys more relaxing.
Visiting the Central Coast today on a new-look V Set carriage to make the announcement, Ms Berejiklian said quiet carriages will now be expanded to more areas, and operate on more carriages, in response to customer feedback.
“NSW TrainLink is tasked with delivering world-class train services tailored to the specific needs of intercity and regional train customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m pleased we will effectively double the number of existing quiet carriages on intercity services, giving customers twice as much opportunity to travel in a quiet carriage and enjoy their journey in peace.”
Quiet carriages will now operate on the:
- First, last and two middle carriages of an 8-car train
- First and last carriages of a 4-car train
- Last carriage of a 2-car train.
The expansion reflects feedback from almost 90 per cent of respondents to a Transport for NSW survey saying the initiative had improved their overall travel experience.
Quiet carriages were first introduced to the Newcastle and Central Coast Line more than a year ago, and following their popularity, the initiative was extended to the Blue Mountains and South Coast lines.
From this week quiet carriages will also be expanded to the Southern Highlands Line, the South Coast Line between Kiama and Bomaderry (Nowra), and on the Bathurst Bullet express train between Bathurst and Central.
Over the coming weeks, clear signage inside carriages will be progressively rolled out on the fleet to let customers know to switch phones to silent, turn the volume down on headphones and keep chat to a minimum.
Signs will also be placed on the doors of these services so customers can identify where quiet carriages are located before they board the train.
Ms Berejiklian also said that customers travelling on the Blue Mountains and Newcastle and Central Coast lines will enjoy an improved on-board experience thanks to a new project to refresh all 200 of the popular intercity V Set carriages.
Features of the refresh include:
- Fresh paint throughout carriage interiors;
- New lighting in the carriages and toilet vestibules;
- New seat frames, cushions and seat upholstery and arm rests;
- New floor vinyl and wall sheeting in the toilet vestibules; and
- New carpet and mats laid throughout the carriages.
Minister for Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Chris Hartcher welcomed the exciting news for rail customers after the new-look NSW TrainLink began operating this week.
“I am delighted the feedback from customers has resulted in the additional quiet carriages which will improve journeys for those travelling to and from the region by train,” Mr Hartcher said.
“We look forward to more improvements by NSW TrainLink including the refreshed carriages, as we know how crucial it is to have an operator focused on listening to customers.”
Member for Gosford Chris Holstein said quiet carriages had been embraced by customers during a trial last year.
“The trial showed that the State Government was prepared to think outside the box, and feedback has shown that journeys are improved with less noise, particularly from people using mobile phones,” Mr Holstein said.
“We know how important it is for rail customers in the region to have a comfortable journey and NSW TrainLink has shown there is now an operator focused on their needs.”
NSW TrainLink will operate services to the Hunter, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions, as well as the interstate network previously serviced by CountryLink.
The organisation will be led by Rob Mason, who has more than 25 years’ experience at a senior level in transport in Australia and the UK.