A Communication Issue on Sydney's New North West Metro Is Causing Commuter Chaos This Morning
Trains were not running in either direction for almost an hour.
Sydney's much-anticipated, billion-dollar Metro North West launched in late May to much excitement. But now, on Monday, July 29, the 36-kilometre railway line has caused some peak hour commuter chaos with a "communications system issue" halting all trains between Chatswood and Tallawong.
Services in both directions on the line stopped for almost one hour, with replacement buses organised. At time of publication, 11.20am, the Metro was running again at a reduced frequency with buses supplementing some services.
Transport for NSW is advising commuters to allow for plenty of extra time, listen to announcements at the stations and check information displays.
Some commuters have taken to Twitter to report wait times of up to an hour and huge lines for the replacement buses.
The Metro North West — which promises turn-up-and-go services every four minutes (in each direction) during peak times — is just one part of the government's overall Sydney Metro project, which will, along with Metro City and Metro Southwest, see a new railway linking Rouse Hill to Chatswood, travelling under the Sydney Harbour to the city, then down to Bankstown. Sydney Metro West will link the city to Parramatta. Running on all lines will be the new driverless trains. At this point; however, the final stages of the billion-dollar project — Metro Southwest and West, specifically — are not expected to be completed until 2024.
For the latest updates on the Metro North West, head to the Transport for NSW's official website and Sydney Metro Twitter account.
