Paramatta Light Rail Ridership Expected to Double in 2026

Key Takeaways

• The Parramatta Light Rail service has had low patronage, with an average of 12,000 daily trips, which is about half of the state government’s projections.
• The service has experienced safety incidents, including collisions with road vehicles, and is taking steps to improve safety and reliability.
• Experts say that the light rail needs a cohesive plan around land use, events, and places to drive patronage, and that housing and development are needed to increase usage.
• The service has been well-received by frequent users, who appreciate the convenience and reliability of the light rail.

Introduction to the Parramatta Light Rail Service
The Parramatta Light Rail service has been in operation for over a year, but it has failed to meet the state government’s expectations in terms of patronage. According to data from Transport for NSW, the service has an average of 12,000 daily trips, which is about half of the projected 22,000 daily trips. The service was expected to have an average of 22,000 people using it daily by 2026, but it seems that it will take longer to reach this target. The light rail service connects Carlingford to Westmead and has 16 stations, including the Rosehill Gardens stop, which is the least used stop with an average of 130 trips per day.

Challenges Facing the Parramatta Light Rail Service
Despite the low patronage, the Parramatta Light Rail service has also experienced safety incidents, including collisions with road vehicles. Transport for NSW has confirmed that there have been numerous collisions at different areas of the light rail, and the agency is taking steps to improve safety and reliability. The coordinator of Transport for NSW, Howard Collins, said that the agency has a responsibility to keep the public safe and that their focus for the next year is to ensure that every journey is as safe as possible. This includes educating the community, enhancing visibility, and reminding pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists to stay alert around the tracks.

Expert Opinions on the Parramatta Light Rail Service
Experts say that the Parramatta Light Rail service needs a cohesive plan around land use, events, and places to drive patronage. Mathew Hounsell, a transport researcher at the University of Technology Sydney, said that housing is needed to drive patronage on the light rail. He also said that the area around the Rosehill Gardens stop is currently easy to drive to, but it is expected to change over time. The existence of the tramway stop has made the property extremely valuable, and it is expected that development will increase in the area. Hounsell also said that it takes time for any light rail to build patronage, but the Parramatta Light Rail is lacking a cohesive plan around land use and events.

Adjusting to New Transport Options
It takes time for the public to adjust to new transport options, and the Parramatta Light Rail service is no exception. Hounsell said that when people are comfortable driving to and from a place, they will stick to driving until it becomes painful enough that they start looking at alternatives. He also said that there is a lack of shops and businesses along the line to drive higher patronage on weekends, particularly at stops in highly residential areas. On weekends, the data shows an average of 40 per cent fewer trips on the service, indicating that the light rail is too dependent on regular commuters.

Frequent Users of the Parramatta Light Rail Service
Despite the low patronage, there are frequent users of the Parramatta Light Rail service who appreciate the convenience and reliability of the service. Moey, a frequent user, said that he prefers the light rail compared to the train because he lives close to a stop. He said that at the start, it looked awkward, but it makes sense now, and it’s better in hindsight. Dona Lynvandyn, another frequent user, said that the light rail is useful for areas that previously had hardly any transport. She said that she uses it to go to places when she just wants to feel relaxed, have convenience, and not drive. Phillip Sharpe, who travels regularly from Merrylands to Westmead, said that the light rail is the best thing that ever happened to Parramatta, and it’s a fantastic service with no waiting around.

Future Developments and Plans
The construction of the light rail’s stage two has begun, and it will connect Parramatta to Olympic Park. This is expected to grow patronage numbers long-term, and experts say that it will take time for the public to adjust to the new transport option. The state government is also expecting that the patronage will increase next year, with about 22,000 people expected to use the service daily. However, experts say that a cohesive plan around land use, events, and places is needed to drive patronage, and that housing and development are needed to increase usage. With the ongoing development and plans for the future, it remains to be seen whether the Parramatta Light Rail service will meet its projected targets and become a successful transport option for the community.