In November 2014 the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra’s petition for extra carriages on the 4.24pm Central to Kiama service saw that service go from four to eight carriages.

That petition carried 800 signatures.

Earlier this month a Greens petition – started by Thirroul resident Bronwyn Batten – asking for more carriages on the four-car 3.24pm and 3.54pm services garnered more than 2000 signatures.

Yet it remains unclear if more signatures will equal a similar result to the 800-signature petition.

Mr Ward said he was familiar with the issues on the 3.24pm service, having caught it himself and given up a seat on the stairs to another commuter.

However the chances of more carriages being added immediately were slim.

“If you are at a peak time and all the rolling stock is on the network, going to eight carriages means you have to take four from somewhere else,” the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra said.

“We have a limited amount of rolling stock. I would love to have more carriages right now on that line. And as a public transport user, I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it.

“I know that people have had a gutful, but that’s why I took up the cause to get more carriages for the South Coast line, and that’s what I’ve delivered.”

Mr Ward is referring to the new intercity fleet, due to begin its rollout  next year.

Transport for NSW has said the Illawarra will be the last region to see them, perhaps as late as 2021.

However, the Mercury understands there is an option for commuters to get some relief before then.

When the intercity fleet rolls out in Newcastle next year, there is the scope for the Oscars that were running on that line could be shifted to the Illawarra for the short term.