Malcolm Turnbull needs to out his money where his mouth is and commit funding to build a train to the new Western Sydney Airport, according to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

RBTU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens today said Western Sydney deserved a world-class airport – and that meant having a direct rail link to the city centre from day one.

“Malcolm Turnbull talks the talk, but it’s time for him to walk the walk on public transport.

“Simply talking about rail projects and taking selfies on trains is frankly not good enough.

“We need to see dollars committed and a timetable for construction so that the people of Western Sydney can have some confidence that there actually will be a rail line to the new airport.”

Mr Claassens said a rail link to the new airport should branch off the Western Line and open up new land for development between Badgerys Creek and St Marys.

“Starting construction from the north would help to activate the Broader Western Sydney Employment Area.

“It would also open a more direct and practical route to the airport for a majority of passengers and airport precinct workers travelling from population centres such as Penrith, Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Parramatta.

“It’s concerning, however, that the Federal and State Governments are suggesting their speculative, non-funded, possible rail link may be an extension of the privately-operated driverless trains they are installing on the North West Rail Link.

“This vital infrastructure project should be properly funded, built on time, and operated by real people.”

For more information see the RTBU’s submission to the Federal Government.