Mayoral Column – Push for critical public transport connections

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Penrith City Council continues to speak up for our community, calling for better and more accessible public transport infrastructure that can catch up to, and keep pace with, Western Sydney’s growth.

Last week, Council and the Committee for Sydney co-hosted the Western Sydney Transport Forum in Penrith, where I was joined by Western Sydney mayors, NSW Transport Minister John Graham and Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Natalie Ward, government representatives, industry professionals and other stakeholders to discuss the vital infrastructure required for one of the country’s fastest-growing regions and economy.

We covered many of the issues already impacting residents – an incomplete transport network, infrequent and fragmented services, and heavy car reliance. These are concerns we hear from our community.

Western Sydney’s growth brings immense opportunity, but it also challenges a public transport network already under pressure. A more connected Western Sydney would reduce inequality, lift productivity, support local businesses and help create a more climate-resilient future. All levels of government have a part to play in making progress towards this vision.

I was also proud to launch Council’s Public Transport Position Paper, which is grounded in community experience. We know that 88% of Penrith’s population (more than 200,000 people) live more than 1km from a rail or metro station and 9 out of 10 people in Penrith commute to work by car.

Our residents need and deserve access to transport that better connects them to jobs, housing options, education, community services and other opportunities. Our position paper explores the actions we believe are needed to make this happen.

We continue to advocate to the Australian and NSW Governments for further investment and commitment to projects like full-length north-south metro connectivity – from St Marys to Tallawong in the north and from Bradfield to Macarthur in the south, the Western Sydney Freight Line to ease pressure on the existing network, and local bus service improvements.
 
Transport should unlock opportunity, not determine who can access it. It’s time for transport investment to match the scale and ambition of the communities it is meant to serve.

Visit penrith.city/resources-documents/advocacy to read the Public Transport Position Paper.

Cr Todd Carney
Mayor of Penrith

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 19 August 2026.