Overview
For the past seven years, enormous boring machines and scores of construction workers have been busy beneath Sydney's streets, laying the more than 15 kilometres of track connecting Sydenham in the city's southwest and Chatswood north of the harbour. Transport for NSW is now ready to reveal the fruits of these labours, when the new cross-city Metro extension welcomes its first passengers from Sunday, August 4, 2024.
The final phases of testing and regulatory approval are now nearing completion ensuring that when it opens, the City and Southwest line of the Metro will be able to handle the estimated 37,000 daily passengers during the AM rush hour. The new line will shuttle commuters from one end of the line to the other in just 22 minutes and will shorten journeys between Sydney Central and Martin Place to four minutes.
When stations open on August 4, 45 metro trains will run 445 new services every day, with trains set to arrive at stations every four minutes at peak times. In addition to new platforms at existing stations like Martin Place and Sydney Central, six new stations — Crows Nest, Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal (located between Pitt and Castlereagh streets) and Waterloo — will offer commuters even greater access to the Metro extension.
Innovations including cutting-edge surveillance technology, both inside trains and at stations, as well as uninterrupted network coverage across the line, will keep passengers safe and connected. A whopping 900 new secure parking spots for cyclers will also encourage Metro users to reach stations by bike, reducing car congestion and promoting more eco-conscious travel.
The City and Southwest line's opening date of August 4 is still subject to final clearance, but barring any major unforeseen issues during the final weeks of testing, this date should remain unchanged. Once the new line is up and running, the next phase of Sydney's mammoth Metro project will commence, with the T3 Bankstown line set to close for a full year so new track can be laid to connect Sydenham with the city's west.
"Excitement is mounting for when commuters will be able to step on board 445 new metro services deep below the city every day," NSW's Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said. "Metro will be the fastest way to travel in and around Sydney CBD and north of the city, including across the harbour when passenger services on the [City and Southwest] Line start next month."
The City and Southwest Line of the Sydney Metro is scheduled to open from Sunday, August 4, 2024. Visit the Sydney Metro website for more details.