New metro platforms lined by 36 safety screen doors have been installed at Bankstown as the first major Sydney Metro-Sydney Trains transport interchange in south west Sydney enters the final straight to completion.
Due to commence services in 2026, passengers at Bankstown and along the former T3 line will have a new air-conditioned metro train every four minutes in the peak - 15 trains an hour compared to eight trains an hour in the morning peak previously.
Metro conversion work at Bankstown Station has reached 80 per cent completion, with new platforms lined by safety screen doors now finished and train testing up and down the former T3 line progressing.
The former railway platform at Bankstown has been rebuilt to create a central plaza between the Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains stations.
Work nearing completion includes at Bankstown:
- The Sydney Metro station building, with paving of the concourse underway and installation of 19 new Opal gates;
- Tiling and installation of glazed balustrades on the 170-metre long metro platforms
- New platforms and entrance to Bankstown train station directly opposite the new metro entrance
Major work will soon commence on the 90-metre plaza featuring dining and retail options which will provide a pedestrian connection between north and south sides of Bankstown.
More than 100 workers are on-site daily at Bankstown delivering what will be an historic transformation to the station that first opened to trains in 1909.
The conversion will mean the metro network is separate from the existing Sydney Trains network between Sydenham and Bankstown, improving the reliability of services on the line which had been a bottleneck for the train system.
The program of works to transform the 130-year-old line, between Sydenham and Bankstown, for modern metro trains has been a complex and difficult task.
But across all ten south west stations, site works are progressing, with testing and commissioning of key communication systems underway.
Train testing is also continuing, with the critical 'kinematic envelope test' underway. This test confirms the train has sufficient clearance from surrounding infrastructure, including station platforms.
More than 700 kilometres of testing has taken place across different parts of the Southwest line, at speeds between 5km/h and 25km/h.
Next year when the final section of the M1 Line opens, Sydney will have a 66-kilometre fast and reliable metro network and Sydney's south west will have fast metro journey times, including:
- Bankstown to Central: 28 minutes - saving six minutes
- Bankstown to Gadigal: 30 minutes - saving 15 minutes
- Bankstown to Chatswood: 43 minutes saving 25 minutes
- Bankstown to Macquarie University: 54 minutes - saving of 25 minutes
The Southwest metro conversion is part of the Minns Labor Government's plans to deliver more housing where people want to live, near public transport, and closer to jobs.
The Minns Labor Government is turbocharging the delivery of new housing along the Southwest Metro line by supporting transport-oriented development at a majority of stations on the line including an accelerated precinct at Bankstown Station.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"First off, I absolutely acknowledge this has been a very disruptive time for the people of Canterbury Bankstown, and I want to thank them for their patience as we complete this upgrade."
"Once this is up and running, it will be a game changer as to how people move around Sydney."
"Every element of this project is about delivering faster, safer and more reliable public transport, while creating vibrant new public spaces like the pedestrian plaza and upgraded station entrances."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"Just as this conversion work is transformational for Bankstown Station, the metro when it opens is going to be transformational for the entire south west Sydney region.
"The speed and efficiency of Sydney Metro means more employment and education opportunities within reach for the community here.
"Today is an exciting day for people in south west Sydney who have accepted major disruption to their trains services as we deliver this conversion work.
Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:
"Bankstown has an exciting future ahead as the NSW Government continues to deliver Sydney's biggest ever transport project.
"A trip from Bankstown to Sydney's CBD will only take 30 minutes, saving a full 15 minutes off the previous rail journey.
"I know it's been hard on the community, and they've shown great understating and patience but, in the end, we will have a world class metro, and it will be well worth it."
