The wait is almost over for southwest Sydney, with the Minns Labor Government today confirming passenger services on the new Southwest Metro will begin at 4:31am on Friday, 30 October.
The opening will mark a major milestone in Sydney's transport network, connecting communities from Bankstown through the CBD to the northwest on one continuous 66-kilometre Metro line.
From next Friday, passengers in Bankstown, Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Lakemba, Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury, Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville will have access to fast, reliable, turn-up-and-go services, with trains every four minutes during weekday peaks.
The new Metro will deliver 50 per cent more passenger capacity than the old T3 Bankstown Line it replaces, along with faster journeys and direct connections to more jobs, education and opportunities across Sydney.
The opening date follows final safety approval from the independent Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, received yesterday.
From next Friday, passengers will benefit from the following travelling times:
- Bankstown to Central: 28 minutes - saving six minutes
- Marrickville to Gadigal: 12 minutes - saving 12 minutes
- Campsie to Macquarie University: 44 minutes - saving 17 minutes
- Lakemba to Victoria Cross: 37 minutes - saving 24 minutes
- Canterbury to Chatswood: 31 minutes - saving 23 minutes.
Services will run every four minutes during weekday peak hours, every five minutes during the day, and every ten minutes in the evenings and on weekends.
However, on the first weekend (October 31 - November 1) services will increase to run every seven minutes to accommodate increased interest.
More than 2,600 driverless metro services will travel on the fully integrated Sydney Metro M1 network each week. With Metro services operating to Bankstown, around 48,000 trips are expected to be made across the metro line on a typical weekday during the 8am and 9am peak.
The upgraded corridor features modern metro infrastructure, platform screen doors, new lifts and station upgrades, improved customer information systems and enhanced security technology across the line.
There has also been a huge improvement to accessibility for people with a disability, mobility issues and families with prams as part of the upgrades to stations.
Wiley Park, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Punchbowl and Canterbury stations are now accessible by lift for the first time.
The opening follows more than two years of work, 30,000 kilometres of testing and more than 6,000 timetabled test runs.
Turning a 130-year-old railway and its heritage stations into a modern Metro has been a complex job, particularly at older stations where curved platforms mean the gap between the train and platform can vary.
The former Liberal Government left the future of the Southwest Metro in doubt and even considered cancelling it entirely, but the Minns Labor Government committed to finishing the job.
Over the next eight days, Sydney Metro and Transport for NSW will put the finishing touches on the new line, including preparing stations, getting staff and services ready, and connecting the new section to the wider transport network ahead of opening day.
While the new Metro is ready to welcome passengers, there may be some minor teething issues as services get underway.
Additional safety precautions will also be in place, including six of the 360 train doors remaining temporarily closed during service.
To help passengers get used to the new services, additional staff will be on hand at every station and on trains throughout operating hours to provide information and assistance.
The pink Southwest Link buses will continue to operate on Friday 30 October and over the first weekend of operation, while the community familiarises itself with the new Metro network.
Service information will be clearly signposted at stations, and passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys ahead of opening at transportnsw.info from Monday, October 26.
On Sunday, 1 November from 10am to 1pm, we will celebrate the opening with a range of activities at Bankstown Metro Station and Dulwich Hill Metro Station.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"This is a huge moment for southwest Sydney. From next Friday, communities from Bankstown to Marrickville will have access to a world-class Metro service connecting them to the rest of Sydney.
"Trains every four minutes during the peak, Bankstown to Central in just 28 minutes, and direct connections through the city to the northwest.
"I want to thank the thousands of commuters, families and local businesses for their patience while we've undertaken this major transformation.
"This is about giving people in southwest Sydney the same fast, reliable public transport connections that other parts of our city enjoy. It's an investment that will make a real difference to these communities for generations to come."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"To the communities who've been catching the pink buses - thank you for your patience, your new metro is about to welcome you onboard.
"I want to thank the rail regulator for their intensive work, assessing the fine detail on this complex conversion of a 130-year-old railway.
"This metro will transform the way people in these southwest suburbs travel, it will also open these suburbs up to the rest of Sydney."
Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:
"It's been a long wait, but the ride will be worth it! We finally know when we'll be able to jump on board Metro, and our Inner West Community is ready to go.
"This is going to totally change the way people move around the Inner West, South West and our City. Marrickville to Gadigal in just 12 minutes will be a total game changer.
"The magic of Metro with its fast, frequent and reliable services is coming. This means more people will choose public transport and that's a win for everyone."
Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said:
"The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! The opening of the Southwest metro will directly connect communities in the south-west and north-west, completely changing the way people experience this city.
"People in my community will be able to travel directly to central and northern Sydney for the very first time, opening up direct access to jobs, education and suburban tourism.
"Being able to travel directly from Lakemba to Macquarie University in 44 minutes and from Canterbury to Chatswood in half an hour will change people's lives.
"Our community deserves world-class transport, and this transformational infrastructure will deliver safer, more accessible stations which will serve as community hubs.
"I want to thank my community for their patience."
Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:
"This is a massive moment for Bankstown and southwest Sydney, and a day our community has been looking forward to. From this point on - getting to the city will be easy as!
"The opening of the Southwest Metro makes an enormous difference to our community, it means better connections to jobs, education, dining and entertainment options right across Sydney.
"It also makes it easier for more people to discover our local businesses and experience all that Bankstown, Punchbowl and Wiley Park have to offer."
Member for Strathfield Jason Li said:
"This is a game-changer for our community. Strathfield residents will have faster, more reliable connections to jobs, education and family across Sydney.
"The new Metro means less time waiting, with modern, accessible stations that make everyday journeys easier for everyone."
Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson said:
"For residents in many parts of my community, the Southwest Metro will open up new opportunities to connect with the rest of Sydney, making it easier to access jobs, education and essential services."
Sydney Metro Chief Executive Camilla Drover said:
"For more than a century, this railway has connected the communities of Sydney's southwest. From Friday next week, we begin its next chapter.
"Transforming this historic railway into a modern metro has been an extraordinary feat of engineering, delivery and, above all, teamwork. Our teams have undertaken extensive testing and commissioning to ensure the railway is ready to welcome customers, and I am immensely proud of everyone who has helped make this transformation possible.
"To the communities who have supported us throughout this journey, thank you for your patience and resilience. This railway was built for you, and we are incredibly proud to welcome you aboard Sydney Metro Southwest."
