The Minns Labor Government has announced a $40.3 million investment over five years to extend the life of the ageing XPT rail fleet, ensuring continued service until the next-generation Regional Rail Fleet is ready for passenger use.

The Regional Rail project will eventually replace the current regional fleet with 29 safe, comfortable, and more accessible trains.

As part of the project, a new purpose-built maintenance facility was constructed in Dubbo and opened in 2024.

However the timelines for the arrival of a new XPT to connect western New South Wales through the Dubbo to Sydney route remains cloudy.

The current rail fleet, which services regional centres across New South Wales, has been in operation for over 40 years and is set to undergo significant upgrades to improve safety and comfort for passengers while they await the new trains.

The upgrades will include extensive mechanical work for improved reliability, new carpeting and refurbished seats, maintenance on air-conditioning and toilets, and a repaint and refurbishment of the power cars.

As part of the transition, two of the six daily Grafton-to-Sydney services will be temporarily replaced by premium coaches for approximately 12 months starting mid-March 2025, while the remaining four will continue with XPT trains.

NSW TrainLink is currently seeking a provider for the coach services, which will be wheelchair accessible.

Ticket prices and booking processes will remain unchanged.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, emphasised the government's commitment to improving regional transport infrastructure.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to building a better transport system for regional NSW, including the network of NSW TrainLink trains and coaches,” Minister Aitchison said.

“To ensure passengers can continue to travel safely, comfortably and reliably in the longer term, over $40 million in essential upgrades are getting underway on the ageing XPT fleet now.

“The Liberals and Nationals sat back for 12 years and ran the XPT fleet into the ground while leaving communities at risk of losing services.

"We’re fixing the mess and investing to improve services.”

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said replacing the regional fleet of trains should be a top priority for government.

However, the announcement has been met with criticism from the Opposition, with NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders accusing the government of delaying the rollout of the long-promised new fleet while claiming credit for work that has yet to materialise.

“This is yet another example of the Minns Labor Government trying to take credit for something it has not delivered, which is disgraceful especially when it clearly isn’t bringing forward any meaningful solutions to help regional areas,” Mr Saunders said.

“It was the Labor Government’s decision to put more money down to try and hold over the XPT fleet for however long is needed, which raises serious questions around when the new trains will actually be ready to go.

“The former Coalition Government committed all the funding for the replacement regional rail fleet and now we need the current Government to do the final fit out and roll them out as quickly as possible.

“The Premier and the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads need to make that a top priority, rather than looking backwards as it always seems to do to try and blame somebody else for its lack of urgency and action.”

While the debate continues, regional communities await further updates on the timeline for introducing the new trains and the effectiveness of the interim upgrades to the ageing fleet.

The government has promised to keep the public informed on service changes and improvements as work progresses.

Western Plains App contacted Minister Aitchison's office to ascertain whether trains in Dubbo are part of this upgrade, and a possible timeline, but has yet to receive a response.