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NSW Accepts Scathing Rail Review, Pledges $458 Million Overhaul After Sydney Train Meltdown

The report concludes neglected maintenance allowed a minor fault to cascade into a 38-hour shutdown.

Overview

  • The Minns government accepted all 12 recommendations and committed $458.4 million over four years, including $423 million for track, signaling, overhead wiring and drainage upgrades.
  • About $41 million will be spent this financial year, alongside a $35 million rapid‑reliability program to fast‑track fixes on critical assets.
  • Sydney Trains will shift from time‑based to risk‑based maintenance and declare maintenance‑critical zones starting with the HomebushStrathfield corridor.
  • Two rapid incident response teams will be established, with bases at Redfern by late 2025 and Homebush by early 2026.
  • The review found no defensible reason for a three‑hour detrainment at Homebush, cited inadequate communications, and noted the failed wire was flagged as a risk in 2020 but never logged or repaired.