The first stage of the long-awaited Parramatta Light Rail project is now open. For the first time in 80 years, trams are transporting passengers through the heart of Western Sydney — specifically, on a 6.6-kilometre-long track connecting Carlingford to Westmead via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia on a two-way, 12-kilometre-long track with 16 stops. The first services departed Carlingford and Westmead light rail stops at 5.00am and Parramatta Square at 5.02am this morning (Friday, December 20), following five years of construction and rigorous testing.
“It’s been more than 140 years since the first steam-powered tram chugged through Parramatta in 1883,” said NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen. “It will be a historic moment for the people of Western Sydney when they jump onboard the sleek, modern red and white light rail vehicles.”
Parramatta Light Rail
The L4 Westmead to Carlingford line is the first stage of the two-stage project. It connects passengers to the Westmead Health Precinct, CommBank Stadium, the buzzy Church Street, Parramatta Square and PHIVE, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, and Western Sydney University campuses at Westmead, Parramatta, and Rydalmere. It’ll also provide access to the upcoming Parramatta and Westmead metro stations.
The second stage of the project will see Stage 1 and Parramatta’s CBD connected to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, and Wentworth Point. Early works on this second stage began this month.
By 2026, around 22,000 people are expected to use the light rail every day with a convenient connection through around 60 cafes, restaurants, and more.
What can you expect?
Weekday services will run every 9 minutes in peak hours (between 7am–7pm), and every 12-16 minutes at off-peak times, while on weekends, trams will come every 12 minutes in peak hours, and every 16 minutes in the off-peak. The air-conditioned and state-of-the-art vehicles will provide locals with better connectivity through key Western Sydney hubs.
Get more information about the light rail and keep up to date with the latest news here.