Commuting to Parramatta? Here are your options

Parramatta is well connected with a range of public transport options, active transport alternatives, and an extensive road network. As part of its growth as a great place to work, the new light rail will open next year, and the Metro West is also under construction.

According to the ABS Census figures from 2016, about 50,000 workers commute to Parramatta daily with just under half of them (49 per cent) travelling by car. The next most popular option was public transport with 37 per cent, and just four per cent use active transport.

Despite car travel being the most common commuting mode at present, the City of Parramatta is supportive of an increase in public transport use. As part of the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal, an Integrated Transport Plan was produced which states: “The significant increase in trips to, from and within the CBD generated by the Parramatta CBD Planning Proposal cannot be accommodated by private vehicle trips as there is not enough room on streets and at intersections. More space efficient modes are needed as density in the CBD increases. There is also an increase in people living close to the CBD that are likely to find it faster, cheaper, and more convenient to walk, ride or catch transport into the Parramatta CBD rather than drive.”

Great place to work

Parramatta has a dynamic and diverse workforce with a pool of two million people within a 30-minute commute. With ongoing infrastructure planned for several years, transport development will be the critical link that continues to connect Parramatta to the Greater Sydney region, achieving our 30-minute City vision for years to come. 

Over recent years Parramatta has become one of Australia’s most sought-after office markets, beating out other big city centres. It’s all part of the transformation of Australia’s oldest inland city into Sydney’s Central River City.
In the coming two decades, it’s forecast an additional 420,000 people will move to the region between Parramatta and Sydney, and more than 300,000 jobs will be created in the corridor by 2036.
 

In the coming two decades, it’s forecast an additional 420,000 people will move to the region between Parramatta and Sydney, and more than 300,000 jobs will be created in the corridor by 2036.

Public transport

Current options

The Parramatta Transport Interchange was recently upgraded and brings train and bus connections under one roof. This will link with the future Parramatta Light Rail and Metro West just a short walk away, giving a seamless travel experience for commuters.

Train

Parramatta Station connects to locations all around metro Sydney via the T1, T2, and T5 metropolitan lines, as well as the Blue Mountains and Central Coast/Newcastle lines. It’s a 30-minute ride from Sydney’s Town Hall to Parramatta. Plus, there are stations at nearby Harris Park and Westmead providing additional connections. 
 

Bus

The City is served by buses via the interchange near Parramatta Station. Bus routes connect Parramatta with other Sydney destinations like Castle Hill, Hornsby, Ryde, Strathfield and the Sydney city centre.
There is also a free CBD shuttle bus every 10 minutes, that does a loop around the Parramatta CBD from the Transport interchange, taking 25 minutes to complete. It runs seven days a week. The loop includes Macquarie Street, Church Street, the ferry wharf, Phillip Street and O’Connell Street.
 

Ferry

The Parramatta River ferry known as the RiverCat service travels from Parramatta Wharf to Circular Quay.
To find public transport routes to Parramatta, visit the Transport for NSW website https://transportnsw.info/ or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500.

Future options

Parramatta Light Rail - Stage One

The Parramatta Light Rail, due to open in 2023, will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres. It will transform the way workers move around the Parramatta area. It will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to:

•     Westmead Precinct
•     Cumberland Precinct
•     CommBank Stadium
•     Camellia Town Centre
•     The new Powerhouse Museum and cultural precinct on the Parramatta River
•     The housing redevelopment at Telopea
•     Rosehill Gardens Racecourse 
•     Three Western Sydney University campuses.

Parramatta Light Rail - Stage Two

Stage Two of the Parramatta Light Rail which has been given the go-ahead by the NSW Government, will connect the Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park. It will also connect to Sydney Metro West, the heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, and ferry services at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park.

Sydney Metro West Railway Project

The Sydney Metro West is an underground metro railway currently under construction that will connect Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
The new 24-kilometre metro line includes stations at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.
This route was selected because the NSW Government and Council identified that more travel services are needed between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
 

Active transport options

The City of Parramatta recognises the importance of walkability and is seeking to create a safe, comfortable, and interesting City for people to choose active transport. In 2017, Council launched the Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy which covers the LGA, and the Parramatta CBD Pedestrian Strategy.

The Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy is a long-term plan that will provide a network of high-quality walking routes through the LGA’s streets, open space and river corridors. Through public exhibition and engagement, the Parramatta community provided strong feedback and support for the project, its targets and objectives. Parramatta Ways aims to bring more life to the streets, creating a green, active and walkable city.

The City of Parramatta is already working towards active transport infrastructure, and alongside the Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy, the Parramatta Bike Plan was also released in 2017.

Already in place is the popular Parramatta Valley Cycleway. It is a 20-kilometre-long path shared by cyclists and pedestrians that follows the Parramatta River. Cyclists can ride the relatively flat route from Morrison Bay Park in Ryde through the Ermington Nature Reserve and along the river foreshore to the Parramatta CBD. Throughout Parramatta, there are a range of other bike paths and on-road cycle lanes, plus plenty of quiet streets.

The City of Parramatta Council has produced a cycling map that you can collect from the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre or local bike shops. You can also download a copy here. 
 

Driving

Parramatta is well serviced by major road connections. There are parking stations around Parramatta, many of which offer pre-booking discounts. There are also paid and free street parking spots in the City.
Parramatta is centrally located within the Sydney metropolitan area and is well connected with a range of public transport options, active transport alternatives, and an extensive road network. As it grows in future years, more commuting options will be added to the existing choices.