Hunter commuters are set to benefit from hundreds of extra seats on some of the region’s busiest rail services.
The NSW Government is increasing capacity on the Newcastle and Central Coast line with an additional 692 seats being added to the Mariyung trains.
The changes will come during the weekday peak periods as the demand for rail travel continues to grow.
Four existing eight-car Mariyung services will be extended to 10-car trains during the morning and afternoon peaks.
The upgrade will provide extra space for thousands of passengers travelling between Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney each day.
A further two eight-car services will also be lengthened later this year.
The move will complete the staged rollout of the Mariyung fleet, which entered service in December 2024.
Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the changes would improve travel on the state’s busiest intercity rail corridor.
“We’re seeing more people choose rail to travel between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle, so increasing capacity on our busiest intercity corridor is the right investment at the right time,” she said.
“By extending more Mariyung trains to 10-car services during the busiest parts of the day, we’re making it easier for thousands of passengers to find a seat and enjoy a more comfortable journey.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the additional carriages would make a noticeable difference for local commuters.
“Our communities deserve modern, world-class public transport that is safe, comfortable and reliable,” she said.
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to boost capacity on the busiest intercity line in NSW, so the people of the Hunter will benefit from more comfortable travel to jobs, essential services and loved ones.
“Each extra carriage we can add creates more comfort, capacity and peace of mind for commuters as they head to the station each morning.”
There are now 19 Mariyung trains operating on the Newcastle and Central Coast line, making up the majority of services.
The older OSCar fleet is gradually being redeployed to suburban rail lines as the new trains continue to roll out.
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