The first passenger service of the new intercity Mariyung train on the South Coast Line will depart Kiama Station at 7:56am today, bound for Central Station.
The introduction of the Mariyung in the Illawarra will be followed later in the year by a service uplift that will deliver a train every 15 minutes in the peak between Wollongong and Sydney – up from the current three an hour in the peak – as part of the new 2026 Sydney Trains timetable.
The inaugural journey on Tuesday will mark the beginning of the final phase of the rollout of the Mariyung fleet which entered service on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in December 2024 and the Blue Mountains Line in October last year.
Mariyung trains offer more spacious two-by-two seating, a quieter journey with modern air-conditioning, spaces for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs, enhanced safety and improved accessibility.
Seating includes tray tables, arm rests, high seat backs and charging ports for mobile devices. On-board digital screens are easier to read, and CCTV throughout the new trains will enhance the safety and security while helping deter anti-social activity.
The Mariyung trains are the first new intercity fleet in almost 20 years and have an expected service life of 35 years. They will gradually replace the Oscar trains that entered service in 2006.
Following 12 months of testing and enabling track and station works, the South Coast Line is getting a phased rollout of the Mariyung fleet, starting with seven new train sets this month, increasing to 16 trains by 2027.
The first phase will involve 4-car and 6-car sets, the second phase will see 8-car sets later this year, followed by 10-car configurations in 2027.
The new train timetable, to be introduced later in the year, will add a fourth service an hour in peak. There will be a service every 30 minutes outside the AM and PM peaks.
As part of the new timetable changes, South Coast Line services will operate to and from Central and will no longer run on the Eastern Suburbs railway to Bondi Junction.
South Coast passengers wanting to access T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line stations from Town Hall to Bondi Junction will be able to interchange at Hurstville, Sydenham, Redfern or Central or change to Metro at Sydenham.
Under the new timetable to be introduced later this year, South Coast Line trains will no longer stop at Wolli Creek Station – affecting about 2% of current passengers. They will need to change at Hurstville or Central to access services to the Domestic and International Airport stations. Trains will continue to stop at Wolli Creek until the new timetable is introduced.
The former Liberal-National government botched the introduction of the Mariyung fleet, spending $1.7 billion more than they estimated in 2014, according to the NSW Auditor-General, and failing to get them on the tracks while they were in office – despite promising they would be in service in 2019.
This included the need to widen tunnels and extend platforms.
When operated in their longer format during the peak, Mariyungs will be difficult to turn back at Bondi Junction.
Today’s first passenger service will stop at the following stations along the South Coast Line: Bombo, Minnamurra, Shellharbour Junction, Oak Flats, Albion Park, Dapto, Unanderra, Coniston, Wollongong, North Wollongong, Thirroul, Helensburgh, Sutherland, Hurstville, Wolli Creek and Redfern on its way to Central Station.
The introduction of the modern Mariyungs will improve reliability for passengers, part of a $458 million push by the Minns Labor Government to bring rail reliability up to scratch.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“This is a very exciting day for commuters in the Illawarra as these brand-new trains begin to enter service, bringing a new level of comfort, safety and convenience to a region where people often spend long hours on the train as part of their commute.
“The introduction of the Mariyungs will allow us to increase services from Wollongong to every 15 minutes in the peak and every 30 minutes in the off peak and weekends later this year.
“The people of the Illawarra deserve our best trains and more services and that’s what they’re getting.”
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:
“South Coast residents have been very much looking forward to the new Mariyung going into service.
“We have thousands of people who commute to Sydney regularly and they will now be able to relax and enjoy the scenic trip in extra comfort.
“The added features such as the tray tables and USB charging ports will be a welcome addition to those commuters who work in Sydney.”
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
“The new Mariyung intercity trains will bring improved comfort and accessibility to travellers between Kiama and Central.
“The 136-year-old South Coast Line is one of most beautiful but challenging rail corridors in NSW due to the terrain, so the project team has made complex infrastructure upgrades to get these new trains operating.
“The Mariyung project has helped to create around 1600 jobs through enabling works and the construction of the maintenance facility at Kangy Angy.
“Passengers can now enjoy the scenery during a very smooth and safe journey, which will particularly enhance the increasingly popular weekday working commute to Sydney’s CBD.”
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
“This is an exciting day for passengers on the South Coast Line with a new Mariyung train taking its maiden journey on the South Coast Line.
“For years Wollongong commuters have wanted more frequent services on the South Coast Line and the new Mariyung trains mean the Minns Labor Government can make it happen.”
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said:
“Residents in Shellharbour deserve a public transport system that is modern, comfortable and accessible, and the Mariyung fleet will deliver exactly that for communities along the South Coast.
“These new intercity trains will provide a major improvement for local commuters, with more spacious seating, better accessibility, modern technology and enhanced safety features.”
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:
“It’s great to see the South Coast Line get access to the modern Mariyung Fleet which ensure our local commuters will get to enjoy features like charging ports, luggage and bike storage.
“This investment is long needed crucial part of delivering a modern passenger focused service for our growing region.”
Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:
“The Minns Labor government has undertaken major capital investment to make the new Mariyung train fit for purpose for all commuters along the South Coast Line.
“I thank commuters for their patience whilst the project teams worked to upgrade the rail network, the platforms and rolling stock – including adding a guard’s cabin for additional safety.
“As the daughter of a train driver, I am excited for the much-improved reliability, accessibility and a better commuting experience.”
Chief Executive Sydney Trains Matt Longland:
“I want to thank the thousands of people who have worked on the Mariyung project.
“Our station staff and train crew are looking forward to welcoming our South Coast passengers onto these brand-new intercity trains.”