Sydney Light Rail L2 line to open Saturday 14 December

NSW Government has officially announced that the L2 Light Rail line from Circular Quay to Randwick will open on 14 December.

UNSW staff, students and visitors will be able to board the light rail at the UNSW High St light rail stop.

Light rail is one of the most significant pieces of infrastructure to support the University in its 70-year history.

The L2 Randwick Line is the first of the two light rail lines to UNSW. It includes 14 stops: between Circular Quay and Randwick, running through the CBD, Central, Surry Hills, Moore Park, UNSW and ending at the Randwick Hospitals Campus on High Street, Randwick.

When the L3 Kingsford Line opens, in March 2020, there will be five more stops between Moore Park and Kingsford at Nine Ways.

Together with the existing L1 Dulwich Hill Line, these new lines form an integrated 24.7 kilometre network of high capacity, energy efficient light rail services.

The Route

L2 stops in the Sydney CBD (opening 14 December, 2019)

Circular Quay (on Alfred St near Pitt St)
Bridge St (George St south of Bridge St)
Wynyard (George St between Hunter St and Angel Pl)
QVB (George St south of Market St)
Town Hall (George St between Park St and Bathurst St)
Chinatown (George St near Campbell St)
Haymarket (Rawson Pl west of Pitt St)
Central Chalmers St (Chalmers St between Eddy Ave & Devonshire St)
Surry Hills (Devonshire St at Ward Park, near Riley St)
Moore Park (opposite Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools north of Cleveland St/Lang Rd)

L2 line stops on route to Randwick (opening 14 December, 2019)

Royal Randwick (north side of Alison Rd west of Darley Rd)
Wansey Rd (south side of Alison Rd near Wansey Rd)
UNSW High St (corner of High St and Wansey Rd)
Randwick (High St west of intersection with Avoca St)

L3 line stops on route to Kingsford (opening March 2020)

ES Marks (Anzac Parade near Carlton St)
Kensington (Anzac Pde between Todman Ave and Bowral St)
UNSW Anzac Parade (Anzac Parade at University Mall)
Kingsford (Anzac Pde near Strachan St and Middle St)
Juniors Kingsford (Anzac Pde south of Nineways intersection).

Remember, to take care when catching the light rail, or walking near the tracks.

Here are some tips from Transport for NSW for when you're a pedestrian, driver, or cyclist.

Heads up around Sydney's new light rail.

FAQ

When can you start using it?

You will be able to try out the new L2 Light Rail line for free on the first weekend of its opening, 14-15 December.

On 14 December, trams will run from 11am - 1am, and on 15 December, trams will run from 5am to 1am.

Normal tram services will then operate between 5am and 1am on the L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line seven days a week.

Fares will only be waived on the L2 line on its opening weekend.

How do you pay for a trip?

Tap on and go

From 16 December onwards, passengers will need to tap on with their Opal card, credit or debit card, or linked device. Always tap on and tap off using the same card or the same device to get the correct fare and travel benefits. Note that Opal transfer discounts do not apply to transfers between light rail and Sydney Ferries outside of Circular Quay. Fares will be calculated according to the distance travelled.

What's the timetable?

The L2 light rail will not have a timetable. High frequency turn-up-and-go service, initially running every 4-8 minutes between Circular Quay and Central, and every 8-12 minutes between Central and Randwick in the 7am-7pm peak on week day. Additional special event services between Central and the Moore Park and Royal Randwick stops.

Can you take your bike on the Light Rail?

Bicycles on Light Rail

As with existing rules for the Inner West Light Rail, bicycles will be permitted to be carried on board the CBD & South East Light Rail by customers unless staff determine at busy times that it is unsafe to do so.

Transport for NSW encourages active transport. Surry Hills, Central Station, Haymarket and Chinatown light rail stops all have access to bike racks. Additionally, Juniors Kingsford has a secure bike facility at the southern end of the stop near Sturt St intersection, operated by Opal card for registered users as for similar facilities at rail stations.

Will the Express buses from Central to UNSW still run?

The South East bus network will be redesigned to accompany the introduction of light rail. Details will be available once these changes have been finalised. Customers can be assured that the light rail has been designed to complement bus services, not replace them, and express and some all-stops and cross-city services will continue to operate. The busway on Anzac Parade will be retained for day-to-day all-stops and express services from the South East to the city and major event services. Express service buses 891, 893 and 898 will run to the UNSW holiday timetable during the summer break from 15 December 2019 to 5 January 2020, including during the summer term from 6 January to 7 February 2020.