New Mariyung Trains To Begin Running Between Sydney And Wollongong Next Week

After years of delays, Sydney–Wollongong commuters are finally getting a start date.

NSW’s new Mariyung intercity trains will begin carrying passengers on the South Coast line from next week, marking the first phase of a broader rollout across the network.

The launch is expected to improve reliability and, eventually, increase service frequency between Wollongong and Sydney—two of the state’s busiest commuter corridors.

Here’s what to know.

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• When The New Mariyung Trains Will Start Running
• How The Sydney To Wollongong Train Rollout Will Work
• What Changes Are Coming To South Coast Line Services
• What It Means For Commuters

When The New Mariyung Trains Will Start Running

The first Mariyung services will begin operating on the South Coast line from next Tuesday, running between Kiama and Sydney’s Central Station.

The rollout comes after a five-year delay to the multibillion-dollar fleet, with trains now entering service in a staged approach.

Initial services will focus on off-peak periods, allowing the network to integrate the new trains gradually before expanding to busier peak-hour slots later in the year.

How The Sydney To Wollongong Train Rollout Will Work

The rollout will take place progressively across the next 12 months.

The first stage includes a smaller number of train sets, with longer eight and 10-carriage trains expected to be introduced later, particularly during peak commuting hours.

All Mariyung trains on the South Coast line will terminate at Central Station, rather than continuing through the Eastern Suburbs line, due to platform and infrastructure constraints.

Over time, the full fleet will be integrated across the intercity network, with completion expected by early to mid next year.

What Changes Are Coming To South Coast Line Services

Alongside the new trains, broader timetable changes are planned for later this year.

A key update will separate South Coast services from the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line as trains approach the city, allowing for more streamlined operations.

There will also be some changes to stopping patterns, including the removal of certain inner-city stops for these intercity services—meaning some passengers may need to transfer at connecting stations.

What It Means For Commuters

For regular commuters, the biggest shift will come later in the rollout.

Once fully implemented, the new fleet is expected to enable:

• More frequent services, with trains running as often as every 15 minutes in peak periods
• Improved reliability across the line
• A more comfortable long-distance travel experience

The introduction of the new trains will also allow older rolling stock to be moved onto suburban lines after refurbishment, helping ease pressure across the wider network.

Image credit: Visit Wollongong | Instagram