Sydney Metro
Sydney Metro is a new public transport system for Sydney, providing 113 kilometres of rapid transit rail line and 46 stations across three lines.
Sydney Metro North West & Bankstown Line
A new driverless rapid transit railway line, the N1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line, is currently being constructed in Sydney.
The first two stages of the line, running from Tallawong to Sydenham via the Sydney CBD, are now open and carrying passengers. The final stage of the line, a conversion of the former T3 Bankstown Line to rapid transit standards, is currently under construction.
When complete, the full line from Tallawong to Bankstown will have a long-term target capacity of about 40,000 customers per
hour in each direction, similar to other metro systems worldwide.
Sydney Metro Northwest (stage 1)
Sydney Metro Northwest between Tallawong and Chatswood was completed and commenced passenger services in May 2019.
This stage of the project involved the construction of a brand-new line from Tallawong to Epping along a mixture of viaducts and tunnels, and also absorbed the former Epping to Chatswood railway line which was converted to run the single-deck driverless trains.
Sydney Metro City and Southwest (stages 2 and 3)
Sydney Metro City and Southwest extends the new line from Chatswood through to the CBD and Sydenham, and then onward to Bankstown. This includes a new crossing beneath Sydney Harbour, new underground stations in the lower North Shore and CBD, and the upgrade and conversion of previous Sydney Trains stations from Sydenham to Bankstown.
Sydney Metro City and Southwest comprises two core stages:
- Chatswood to Sydenham: Construction is complete and passenger services commenced in August 2024.
- Sydenham to Bankstown: The final stage of converting the former Bankstown Line is underway, and required the full closure of this line in September 2024. It is now due to open in 2026, after originally being expected to open in the second half of 2025.
The Sydenham to Bankstown project involves upgrading 10 existing stations west of Sydenham (Marrickville to Bankstown inclusive), and upgrading a 13-kilometre-long section of the T3 Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown to run the new driverless trains.
All upgraded stations will include platform screen doors to keep passengers safely away from tracks and approaching trains, and will be fully accessible with lifts and level boarding.
Information on the construction of the line can be found at the Sydney Metro website.
Service changes during construction
Following the closure of the former T3 Bankstown Line, a fare-free replacement bus service called Southwest Link is in place while the conversion takes place.
Southwest Link buses operate in the following patterns:
- SW1: All stations from Bankstown to Sydenham and return
- SW2 Bankstown, Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Lakemba, Belmore, then express to Sydenham and return
- SW3: Campsie, Canterbury, then express to Sydenham and return
Southwest Link services run from early morning to late night, seven days a week. The buses feature distinctive bright-pink livery to differentiate them from regular bus services.
St Peters and Erskineville stations, previously served by
T3 services, are now served by T8 shuttle trains between the
City Circle and Sydenham. During weekday peak times, some services
extend
beyond Sydenham to run to/from Campbelltown.
More information about these service changes can be found at the Transport for NSW website.
Benefits of the project
Upgrading the former Bankstown Line to rapid transit standards aims to provide a better, more convenient, and safer public transport system by delivering:
- stations that are accessible to everyone
- buildings and facilities for all transport modes that meet the needs of a growing population
- interchanges that support an integrated transport network and allow seamless transfers between different modes.
The full line from Tallawong to Bankstown – which will be called M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line – will have a long-term target capacity of about 40,000 customers per hour in each direction, similar to other metro systems worldwide.
Information on the Sydney Metro and access to the Sydney Metro City and South West Sydenham to Bankstown Environmental Impact Statement can be viewed by visiting the Sydney Metro web page for Sydenham to Bankstown section of the project.
Council's submission on the Sydney Metro Northwest & Bankstown Line
A report and draft submission on the Sydney Metro (Sydenham to Bankstown) Environmental Impact Assessment was considered at the 21 November 2017 Council Meeting.
Read the 21 November 2017 Council Meeting Report – Item 10
Read the 21 November 2017 Council Meeting Minutes – Item 10
Read Council's Final Submission (PDF 341KB)
Sydney Metro West
Sydney Metro West is a new rapid transit line currently under construction and due to open in 2032.
Metro West is a functionally separate project from the Metro Northwest & Bankstown Line and is being built along an all-new underground alignment.
Metro West will initially run between Hunter Street in Sydney's CBD and Westmead, via stations at White Bay, Five Dock, Burwood North, North Strathfield, Sydney Olympic Park, Parramatta. The current long-term vision is to extend the line westwards to the new Western Sydney Airport and eastwards into the southern or eastern suburbs.
Read Council's submission on the EIS for Sydney Metro West - 25 June 2020 (PDF 636.6KB)
Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport
Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport is a new rapid transit line that will serve the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport at Badgery's Creek.
It will connect St Marys railway station with a new city centre being planned at Bradfield (near Bringelly), with six stations on the route including at the new airport.
The line is due to open in late 2026.