Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell is trying to get all the decision makers in one room to resolve the Southern Highlands line’s timetable troubles.
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Mr Rowell said he would lobby Transport Minister Andrew Constance in an effort to get more services on the Southern Highlands train line.
“It is important to get everyone in the room including the Australian Rail Track Corporation, NSW TrainLink and the Minister for Transport Andrew Constance to get the issues resolved,” he said.
“We need to be given the time slots.”
A popular train service from Campbelltown to Goulburn via Picton has been cancelled in the new train timetable reshuffle.
The new Southern Highlands line timetable shows the 6.19pm service is no longer available as of Friday, November 26.
Mr Rowell has blamed the lack of train time availability on the prioritisation of freight services over passenger services.
The federal government has a contract with the ARTC, which manages most of Australia's interstate rail network.
“To get more services means the ARTC needs to give more slots to the state government for passengers,” Mr Rowell said.
“Sadly to date, this has not occurred and we as a state government are limited on the improvements that can be made due to the restrictions by the ARTC.
“To that end, I again call on the federal government to examine a fairer, more equitable arrangement in terms of passenger train services.”
Hume MP Angus Taylor is at loggerheads with Mr Rowell over who is responsible for the timetable woes.
Mr Taylor said the federal government was not to blame.
“Anything to do with the timetable is a matter for Transport for NSW,” he said.
“The ARTC does not prioritise freight services over passenger services - and it’s a myth to suggest capacity is constrained on the line.
“This needs to be made clear.
“ARTC has not been asked by Transport for NSW for path availability or extra train path services on the Southern Highlands line.
“ARTC has not received any formal requests to change or improve schedules to/from either the Southern Highlands or to Goulburn.
“If there is a request, I will do all I can to help make it a reality.
“In fact, ARTC has been working with NSW TrainLink and Transport for NSW on the performance of the rail lines - and in the past three months, performance levels have increased.”
An ARTC spokesman also said it had not been asked for path availability or extra train path services on the Southern Highlands line and was in initial discussions regarding future passenger demand on the corridor.
“Passenger service train paths are preserved as part of the lease agreement with the state government and provided preferential time slots in the overall train plan,” he said.
“There is capacity to allow for extra train services, but peak periods – such as the morning commuter period - are of course in greater demand than other periods and therefore more constrained.”
Mr Rowell said after speaking with Mr Taylor about who was responsible that he would seek clarification from the minister.
“I’m confident that if the ARTC has space on the line, that more services will be provided in the future,” he said. “I believe it can be done and we can get a result.”
