$100M digital upgrade to deliver more frequent trains for Eastern Sydney

(Picture: Simon_sees Flickr)

Contracts worth around $100 million will deliver important upgrades to Sydney’s rail network between Erskineville and Bondi Junction, on the T4 Eastern Suburbs line.

The new digital system upgrade will allow trains to run more frequently and ensure a faster network recovery after incidents.

New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the upgrade will mean signalling information is directly transmitted into the train cab, removing the need for drivers to rely on fixed “traffic light” signals outside the train.

“While traditional signals have served Sydney well for many decades, they are fixed at set locations and limit the railway from operating at its full potential,” Mr Constance said.

“The installation of digital signalling will mean when an incident happens, the network can recover more quickly with reduced delays, which is great news for customers.”

“The new technology allows continual electronic communication between the track and train, ensuring network controllers can build in extra network capacity. Trains can therefore safely run closer together and, once installed across the network, additional services will be able to meet projected future demand.”