Kiama MP Katelin McInerney, Shellharbour MP Anna Watson, Wollongong MP Paul Scully and Keira MP Ryan Park welcomed the inclusion of the Mariyung trains on the South Coast line. Photo: Paul Scully’s office.
Modern, more spacious trains are set to increase comfort for Illawarra commuters, with the new intercity Mariyung fleet finally introduced to the South Coast line.
Thousands of passengers who travel every day from the Illawarra to Sydney are in for an upgrade, with new trains aiming to enhance the journey with more space and additional features.
The Mariyung train, which made its inaugural journey on the South Coast line on Tuesday (14 April), boasts more spacious two-by-two seating, modern air-conditioning and spaces for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs.
The trains are more accessible, have onboard digital screens and CCTV throughout for improved safety.
Seating also includes tray tables, armrests and charging ports for mobile devices.
“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,” Transport Minister John Graham said.
After a year of testing and enabling track works to cater for the upgraded fleet, seven trains will be rolled out this month, with nine more expected by 2027.
The first phase will involve four-car and six-car trains, the second phase will see eight-car trains later this year, followed by 10-car configurations in 2027.
Mariyung trains will now travel the South Coast line, with service changes to come. Photo: Transport for NSW.
“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,” Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said.
“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.”
The new fleet will also come with service changes later in the year, including four services an hour in peak periods, and a service every 30 minutes outside of peak times.
“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,” Minister Graham said.
“The people of the Illawarra deserve our best trains and more services and that’s what they’re getting.”
“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,” Wollongong MP Paul Scully said.
However the new service changes will impact travellers, with the updated timetable set to remove Wolli Creek as a stop on the service, requiring travellers to change at Hurstville or Central to access either domestic or international airports.
This is anticipated to impact around 2 per cent of passengers.
The updated timetable will also see South Coast services no longer operate beyond Central to Bondi Junction, requiring those hoping to travel directly from the region to Town Hall, Martin Place, Kings Cross, Edgecliff or Bondi Junction to change lines.
“I acknowledge that the services on the South Coast line will be subject to significant changes as the Mariyung trains with 10-car sets are introduced later this year and the timetable is updated,” Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said in a social media post.
“This is because the former government ordered trains that didn’t fit the tracks, tunnels or platforms.
“As a result, a 10-car set will not be able run to the eastern suburbs line terminating at Bondi Junction, and the South Coast line will instead terminate at Central.”
The South Coat line marks the start of the final phase of the rollout of the fleet, which entered the Central Coast and Newcastle line in December 2024 and the Blue Mountains line in October 2025.
South Coast services are still operating on the existing timetable; for more details or to plan your journey visit the Transport for NSW Trip Planner website.
