Major upgrades on the cards for Illawarra and Sydney airport train commuters

Major upgrades are planned for the train line from Sydney CBD to the south, to transform the way commuters use the network.

9News can reveal in the lead up to the state election, the Premier will overhaul many stations on the trip down to the Illawarra on the T4 line, and the T8 Airport line.

A tender document shows upgrades at Mascot and Hurstville stations, along with significant work to enable the tunnel to the airport to carry more frequent trains.

It also includes more complicated track work plans around Central, Erskinville and Hurstville to get more trains in and out of the city faster.

“It gives us the capacity to deliver more trains per hour, and more seats for passengers,” said Transport Minister Andrew Constance.

Leaked information has also revealed the government is likely to buy more new express intercity trains to service the Illawarra.

But because they are ten carriages, platforms at some stations around Wollongong will need to be made longer so the trains fit.

“We are delivering 512 new carriages replacing 240, 40-year-old trains,” said Mr Constance.

The opposition thinks the government will have a tough job convincing the public.

“I think people have no confidence in this government delivering a service that works,” said Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay.