New light rail line opens in Western Sydney following months of delays

Western Sydney’s newest form of public transport has finally opened after a series of delays.

Transcript

00:00After more than a year's worth of delays, the first morning of operations for the Parramatta

00:07light rail went off as smoothly as could be hoped.

00:11Western Sydney locals and transport enthusiasts from around the city were up bright and early

00:17to be aboard the light rail's maiden journey at 5 o'clock this morning.

00:22Departing from Carlingford, the first light rail service ran along the 12 kilometre track

00:26to the end of the line at Westmead to mass celebration.

00:30Both the NSW Transport Minister Joe Halen and Deputy Premier Pru Kha were aboard the

00:35first journey the light rail made through the heart of Parramatta CBD.

00:40Initially scheduled to open in mid last year before suffering numerous setbacks, the opening

00:45today is only stage 1 of the planned light rail services in Western Sydney.

00:50Stage 2 of the development will connect Parramatta CBD to Olympic Park via Ermington and Wentworth

00:56Point.

00:57While no opening date for the second stage has been scheduled, major construction, including

01:02a 300 metre bridge across the Parramatta River, is due to begin early in the new year.