Light rail arrives in Sydney CBD for tests

Sydneysiders will soon be seeing a lot more light rail vehicles in the CBD as testing for the beleaguered project ramps up.

Day testing of the trams between Central and Randwick is underway as well as night testing to Town Hall, with Sydneysiders told more vehicles will now be seen in the CBD.

The vehicles will start making their way to Town Hall for day testing in August when night testing will also begin all the way to Circular Quay.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says it'll be a sight Sydneysiders haven't seen for half a century.

"I'm very excited about where the project is at and, as all of you know, it hasn't come without its challenges," she told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

"We can expect to see a lot more light rail vehicles making their way through the CBD from now on."

The entire project was originally meant to cost taxpayers $1.6 billion but the bill has now blown out to a staggering $2.7 billion.

The controversial project is due to open to commuters travelling from Circular Quay to Randwick by the end of the year.

The line to Kingsford is scheduled to open in early 2020.