Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced Waratah trains had begun running on the Western Line for the first time.

“Starting today, Western Line customers including those from Richmond, Riverstone, Emu Plains, Penrith, St Marys, Parramatta and Granville will be able to catch the new Waratah train,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Also starting today, Waratah trains will run on the Upper North Shore for the first time and as more Waratahs are delivered the chance of customers on these lines catching a Waratah will only increase.” So far the NSW Government has delivered 45 of 78 Waratahs since July 2011.

Ms Berejiklian said 85 percent of Sydney trains are now air-conditioned, up from about 70 per cent when the NSW Liberals & Nationals were elected. At the point all 78 Waratahs are delivered next year, around 95 per cent of the timetabled fleet will be air-conditioned.

“The entire Waratah project was on the brink of collapse when we came to Government and not one carriage had been delivered so it is so pleasing that our hard work to save the project and do the work to prepare the Western Line for these trains – which hadn’t been completed by Labor – has been a success,” she said.

“The new fleet has smart air-conditioning that automatically adjusts according to temperature and the number of customers aboard, efficient LED lighting as well as more comfortable and durable seating.

“The Waratah fleet also has improved accessibility and security features including 32 Passenger Help Points, hearing-aid loops and CCTV monitoring the entire train.”

The NSW Government has upgraded power to allow for the Waratahs to start services on the Western Line and new substations have been built at Yagoona, Warwick Farm, Toongabbie and Campbelltown.