An Independent Public Inquiry was established in 2009 to create the Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney to inform decisions by future governments on the priorities over the next 30 years.

Sydney needs an integrated public transport network to drive a sustainable, liveable and viable future at time of increased pressure from climate change, growing demand for transport resources and reduced oil reserves.

It is chaired by Mr Ron Christie, AM, is assisted by independent experts. The general round of public submissions closed on October 8, 2009.

The Preliminary Report was released on February 13, 2010 for final public review.

The Final Report was released on May 30, 2010.

  1. Final Report

    The Final Report can be downloaded here in full (note: large file size) or by separate chapter headings.

    Download Full Report(96MB)
    Download Full Report - Themes and Recommendations (9MB)

    Preliminaries and Contents (1.25MB)
    Foreword and Themes(770KB)
    Recommendations (3.5MB)
    Guide to report- (1.7MB)
    Chapter 1 Community views (4.5MB)
    Thought Provoker Contexts (2MB)
    Governance and Planning (2.25MB)
    Long-Term Development (41.7MB)
    Thought Provoker 2 Rail choices (2.8MB)
    Thought Provoker 3 Rail CBD-Harbour crossing (6MB)
    Thought Provoker 34 Rail CBD-Harbour crossing (1.8MB)
    Chapter 4 Fares (9MB)
    Chapter 5 Short-term improvements (12.4MB)
    Chapter 6 Funding (4.25MB)
    Appendix 1 Submissions (461KB)
    Appendix 2 Market research (3MB)
    Appendix 3 Train capabilities (2.15MB)
    Appendix 4 Funding (3.7MB)

  2. Public submissions

    Final submissions were invited from individuals, community and business groups, public agencies and all tiers of government to comment on the Preliminary Report. Submissions closed in March. Confidential submissions were accepted where the material, once verified, was used for background information but not be attributed to its author. The background use of material in confidential submissions was entirely at the discretion of the chairman of the public inquiry. Authors of public submissions acknowledged their work could appear in the final plan.

    All correspondence should be addressed to submissions@transportpublicinquiry.com.au or via mail to: submissions@transportpublicinquiry.com.au All correspondence relating to the submissions should be addressed to or via mail to:

    Public submissions
    Long-term public transport plan for Sydney
    Independent Public Inquiry
    GPO Box 249
    Sydney NSW 2001
  3. Terms of reference
    1. The Independent Public Inquiry will create a Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney after receiving public submissions. The plan is designed to assist both the public and future governments to make informed decisions about priorities for transport investment. The plan will cover the following topics:
    2. The optimisation and integration of existing public transport operations (including ferry, bus, light rail and heavy rail).
    3. The expansion of public transport services and infrastructure, as well as cycle commuting infrastructure, over a 30-year planning horizon, taking into account existing transport accessibility problems and integration with future land use changes.
    4. The most appropriate governance arrangements to guarantee the plan's longevity to remove the negative impact of single-term party politics and to optimise investments.
    5. Key environmental sustainability issues.
    6. Key social and economic issues.
    7. Proposals for short term and long term funding.
    8. The cost-effectiveness of solutions, taking into account short term financial costs and benefits, and longer term environmental, congestion and other external costs and land use and accessibility benefits. 
  4. Key facts about the inquiry

    The Independent Public Inquiry was established with the support of The Sydney Morning Herald to create a Long-term public transport Plan. The inquiry is independent of government.

    The chair of the inquiry, Mr Ron Christie, AM, is a former chief executive of the Roads & Traffic Authority, chief executive former head of the Olympic Roads & Transport Authority, former Co-ordinator General of Rail in NSW and former Director-General of Public Works and Services.