All Aboard Parramatta Light Rail

After almost a decade of advocacy, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has today welcomed the official opening of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1.

As commuters hop on for their first trip, Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, said Parramatta Light Rail’s opening is an outstanding triumph of successive state and local governments which have delivered Western Sydney’s first light rail project.

“This vital link has been over a decade in the making and will underpin the growth of the Greater Parramatta region for decades to come,” Mr Leto said.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment from governments at all levels, including the City of Parramatta Council, which planted the initial seeds of this project.”

In 2016, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue established, and led, the Westline Partnership, a collaboration of major landowners, businesses and councils to help secure the first stage of the Parramatta Light Rail project, and today’s official opening is the culmination of years of advocacy.

“With an estimated 130,000 people living within walking distance of the 16 stops by 2026, this project will have a dramatic impact on how the Parramatta CBD, and surrounding areas, feel, and function,” Mr Leto said.

The opening of the $2.8 billion project has been supplemented by a further $2 billion investment in the second stage of Parramatta Light Rail, extending the network to Sydney Olympic Park.

“We’re glad NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen are keeping the momentum going for Parramatta Light Rail stage two and look forward to working with stakeholders to continue the drive for growth and prosperity in the region,” Mr Leto added.