Labor pledges about 6.8 billion to remove bottlenecks on the Sydney to South Coast passenger line and electrify to Bomaderry, as part of a re-election promise.

Construction is not expected to finish until the mid to late 2030s, with detailed planning to begin next year.

Additional infrastructure work includes adding tracks and passing loops between Wollongong and Kiama, and doubling two Sydney rail tracks between Hurstville and Sutherland to separate T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines.

Premier Chris Minns frames the plan as the largest rail infrastructure investment in generations for the South Coast, contrasting with Liberal focus on Sydney metro projects.

The plan is part of a broader electoral strategy against One Nation in regional seats, alongside a separate 12 billion commitment to build a train manufacturing plant in Lake Macquarie.

The pledge follows a government backflip on Sydney rail timetable changes, which faced commuter backlash.

The T4 and South Coast lines carry about 250,000 passengers daily, roughly a quarter of Sydney Trains’ patronage.

Electrification would enable direct Central Station services by removing the Kiama transfer and would involve extending electrification from Kiama to Bomaderry.

Labor commits immediate 621 million to upgrade signaling and track raises ahead of electrification and duplication.