2 million within 30 mins (Transport)

Parramatta is within a 30-minute reach of more than two million people across Sydney.

4 mins read

Sydney's Central River City

Sitting in the geographical heart of Greater Sydney is Parramatta, a City representing a cross-section of economic activity, cultural diversity and stirring opportunity. The backbone of this great City is its accessible transport infrastructure, connecting Parramatta to five major transport hubs across the region.

Parramatta is within a 30-minute reach of more than two million people across Sydney. The recently upgraded Parramatta Transport Interchange links train and bus connections under one roof, and with the future Parramatta Light Rail and Metro West only a short walk away, commuters can expect a seamless travel experience. 

With ongoing infrastructure planned through to 2023 and beyond, 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.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1

The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and is expected to open in 2024. It will revolutionise the way workers, residents and visitors move around the Parramatta area. It will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to:

  • Westmead/Cumberland Precincts, Camellia Town Centre and Telopea 
  • CommBank Stadium & new Powerhouse Parramatta
  • Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
  • Three Western Sydney University campuses
Parramatta Light Rail render
Image courtesy of Transport for NSW

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

The NSW Government will proceed with Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, committing $602.4 million to commence the detailed planning process to move ahead with the Western Sydney megaproject. This commitment will go towards early works and building the vital bridge connection across the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point to Melrose Park.

Stage 2 will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. It will connect the local communities in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, and bring the vision of a ‘30-minute city’ closer to reality.

Stage 2 will have 14 stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track, with travel times of around 31 minutes from Camellia to the Carter Street Precinct via Sydney Olympic Park, and a further 7 minutes to the Parramatta CBD.

Find out more about Parramatta Light Rail.

Tram stopped at Yallamundi stop
Image Courtesy Transport for NSW

Sydney Metro West Railway Project

The Sydney Metro West project is a new underground metro railway that will connect the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs. The NSW Government has committed $6.4 billion over 4 years to the project. The new metro railway will:

  • Double rail capacity between these two areas
  • Link new communities to rail services 
  • Unlock housing supply and employment growth between the two CBDs

Likely have stations at Parramatta, Westmead, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, North Burwood, Five Dock, Bays Precinct and the Sydney CBD.

This route was selected because more travel services are needed between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. An extra 420,000 people are expected to move into the corridor between Greater Parramatta and Central Sydney over the next 20 years. More than 300,000 new jobs are expected to be created by 2036 in this corridor which includes the Parramatta CBD, Sydney Olympic Park and the Bays Precinct.

Find out more.

metro west train artist impression

Western Sydney Aerotropolis by 2026

Sydney’s new Airport is set to open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026, providing much-needed aviation capacity for the entire Sydney region.

In its first stages, Western Sydney International will be a long overdue airport for Western Sydney and its population of two million that continues to grow. The Airport has also led to record investments in the infrastructure the region needs, including new and upgraded roads.

Designed to grow in stages and over decades, the Airport will eventually become one of the biggest gateways to Australia and the primary airport for the entire Sydney region. Qantas Group and Virgin Australia Group have signed MOUs with the Airport and have already commenced discussions about the design of the Airport and potential routes and services. 

Find out more about the new Western Sydney airport.

Western Sydney Airport
Image Courtesy Western Sydney Airport