After the first iteration of the Sydney Metro City project was revealed in 2023, more sections of the city will be connected by brand-new, blue-tinged trains in just a few weeks.
The Minns Labor Government has detailed next steps for the ambitious line, which is designed to not only better connect and showcase our beautiful city, but also tackle the issue of housing availability by building around these new stations.
Sydney’s evolving railway system has been the subject of many discussions over the past few years, as the city has been rife with construction. Disruptions have become commonplace annoyances for commuters. But things are finally looking up for the railway system, as modern metro rains are being introduced following a rigorous testing program that clocked up 9,800 hours along the new 51.5-km line between Tallawong and Sydenham.
The attempt to transform how we navigate Sydney’s various precincts will feature new-look stations at stops like Waterloo and Barangaroo, as well as fully accessible, safe and – importantly – direct services like Central to Chatswood, and Martin Place to Waterloo.
A trial run is set to begin in early August with a full-service timetable running between Chatswood, under Sydney CBD, and out to Sydenham. Current testing indicates the following times for these services.
- Martin Place to Waterloo in 6 minutes
- Sydenham to Macquarie University in 33 minutes
- Central to Chatswood in 15 minutes
- North Sydney’s Victoria Cross (under the harbour) to Barangaroo in 3 minutes
Not only is this the biggest shakeup of the public transport system in Sydney’s history, but it also lays the groundwork for a more connected city ahead of the completion of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. This includes the construction of six new stations.
This also means that the T3 Bankstown Line will close for up to a year as work continues. A temporary transport plan is currently being drawn as a substitute for the closure, but Sydney Travel Guide has been assured that the Bankstown disruptions won’t occur until the City section of the line provides a reliable service for commuters from Sydenham into Sydney CBD.
“These metro lines are part of a city-shaping public transport project that will support more housing for a generation of young people who have been locked out of homes for too long,” detailed Premier Chris Minns. “If we are going to address the housing crisis, we have to build homes near public transport like this and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
For more information on what’s in store for Sydney Metro City head to the project’s official website.
