[1] In May 2012, the Minister for Transport announced a restructure of RailCorp, the organisation that owned and managed the metropolitan rail network and operated passenger services throughout New South Wales.

[11] A process of transferring intercity services from NSW TrainLink to Sydney Trains began in 2023.

In conjunction with a new timetable released on 20 October 2013, the Sydney Trains network was reorganised with a new numbering system.

[17] From 28 April 2019, the section of the T1 line between Gordon and Hornsby via Strathfield was renumbered as T9, whilst the portion between Berowra and Richmond or Emu Plains via Chatswood and Parramatta remained as T1.

[21] The adjacent section of track between Clyde and Camellia, including Rosehill railway station, also became disused.

The T1 North Shore & Western, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra and T9 Northern lines pass through the central business district and continue to other areas of Sydney.

The T5 Cumberland Line serves Western Sydney and provides access to the major centre of Parramatta from the southwest of the city without requiring a change of trains at Granville.

Such bus services mainly stop near stations operating typically at hourly intervals (some routes depart more frequently on weekends).

[25] NightRide services are contracted to external bus operators and are identified by route numbers beginning with "N".

[28] Trainsets are identified by target plates, which are exhibited on the front lower nearside of driving carriages.

Intercity Trains[30] services operate to a distance approximately 200 kilometres (124 mi) from Sydney, bounded by Dungog in the north, Scone in the north-west, Bathurst to the west, Goulburn in the south-west and Bomaderry to the south.

Electric services extend from Sydney north to Newcastle, west to Lithgow and south to Port Kembla and Kiama.

Southern Highlands Line services operate between Campbelltown and Moss Vale with a limited number extending to Sydney and Goulburn.

A fleet of 30 R Set carriages are being built to replace the Endeavour railcar used on the non-electrified sections of the network.

[37] Quiet carriages were first introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line in early 2012 as a three-month trial.

On 1 September 2012, quiet carriages were permanently introduced and expanded to all intercity services operating on the Blue Mountains and South Coast Line.

Opal is also valid on bus, ferry, and light rail services but separate fares apply for these modes.

The following table lists Opal fares for reusable smartcards and single-trip tickets:[47] ^ = $2.50 for Senior/Pensioner cardholders A surcharge is levied when using the two privately operated stations serving Sydney Airport: As there are no return or periodical options available, reusable Opal cards include several caps to reduce the cost for frequent travellers: