newy.com.au – An extra 692 seats will be added to peak-hour Mariyung train services on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line as passenger numbers continue to grow.
Four eight-car Mariyung trains will each gain two carriages, becoming 10-car services during weekday morning and afternoon peaks. A further two eight-car sets will be extended to 10 cars later this year, completing the staged introduction of the new fleet.
About 30,000 passengers board trains on the line during the weekday morning and afternoon peaks. More than 19 million trips have been taken since Mariyung services began operating on the route in December 2024.
Ticketed trips have risen from 780,000 in December 2024 to more than 1.12 million in June 2026, according to the NSW Government.
Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the extra capacity reflected increasing demand for rail services linking Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle.
“We’re seeing more people choose rail to travel between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle, so increasing capacity on our busiest intercity corridor is the right investment at the right time,” Ms Aitchison said.
“By extending more Mariyung trains to 10-car services during the busiest parts of the day, we’re making it easier for thousands of passengers to find a seat and enjoy a more comfortable journey.”
There are now 19 Mariyung trains operating on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line, serving every station and providing most services on the route. Oscar trains are gradually being moved to suburban operations as more Mariyungs become available.
The newer trains feature heating and airconditioning, two-by-two seating, additional legroom, armrests, tray tables, charging ports and dedicated areas for luggage, prams and bicycles. Accessibility features include wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, priority seating, CCTV and enhanced passenger information systems.
Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley said the additional carriages would improve journeys for passengers travelling to work, essential services and family.
“These modern trains have vastly improved the travelling experience for hundreds of thousands of commuters. It’s great to see more Mariyungs on the tracks serving the public,” Ms Catley said.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the trains had been welcomed by local passengers.
“The Mariyung trains are much-loved by Novocastrians, offering one of the best ways to reliably, safely and comfortably travel between Newcastle and Sydney – so it’s great to be adding more space on board,” he said.
Mariyung trains have also been introduced on the Blue Mountains and South Coast lines. The government said their procurement and delivery under the former Liberal-National government ran late and over budget, with modifications required to widen tunnels and extend platforms.
The expanded services come alongside $2.1 billion allocated for rail maintenance and reliability in the 2026-27 NSW Budget.
