South Coast rail electrification delayed for reliability works

Electrification of the South Coast rail line between Kiama and Bomaderry has been delayed as Transport for NSW prioritizes stabilizing the existing corridor. While the state government promised electrification as part of a $6.8 billion works package, officials state the line must first be able to handle increased traffic.

Transport for NSW reported that 20 percent of delays on the line are related to weather issues. Consequently, initial work will focus on improving weather resilience and protecting the corridor against landslips. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland noted that the terrain requires more intensive maintenance than other parts of the network.

Ongoing maintenance efforts include work on tracks, power, and signaling, as well as ballast cleaning and the gradual replacement of track circuits to improve reliability.