Southwest Metro Testing Enters Final Stage in Sydney

Southwest Metro testing has entered its final stage as trains begin running across the connected M1 line between Bankstown and Tallawong ahead of passenger services.

The first end-to-end operations have been completed following the formal handover of the converted railway to Metro Trains Sydney, the operator responsible for the M1 Metro line.

During weekend trials, every second train travelled the entire route between Bankstown and Tallawong. The number of full-line operations will now increase progressively until all services can run across the complete railway.

Southwest Metro testing passes major target

Around 22,000 of the required 30,000 testing kilometres have been completed. Teams have also finished more than half of the mandatory 9,000 testing hours, according to the official NSW Government project update⁠.

Testing covers the trains, signalling, stations and operational procedures required to run the M1 line as a single connected network. Passenger services to Bankstown will begin only after trial running has been completed and the necessary regulatory approvals have been received. 

Passengers can continue travelling between Tallawong and Sydenham, but these trains now arrive permanently at Platform 2 at Sydenham. Customers must leave the train there before it continues towards Bankstown for testing.

Don’t miss…Beenleigh and Gold Coast Line Track Closures Affect July Services

Citybound services from Sydenham continue to depart from Platform 1. Passengers have been advised to check station information screens and listen for announcements because testing and associated operating arrangements remain in place.

Connected M1 line will serve 31 stations

When the Southwest Metro opens, the M1 line will extend for 66 kilometres and connect 31 stations between Tallawong and Bankstown through central Sydney.

The extension is expected to provide capacity for an additional 17,000 passengers per hour during peak periods. Project forecasts include a 28-minute journey from Bankstown to Central and a 44-minute trip from Campsie to Macquarie University. 

Further M1 closures are required to support full-line testing and prepare the converted railway for safe and reliable passenger operations. Sydney Metro has published information about weekend closures and replacement transport⁠. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“This is a really exciting milestone because it shows we’re in the home stretch.

“I know communities across southwest Sydney have been incredibly patient while this work has been carried out. We’ve got a little more to do to make sure everything is thoroughly tested and ready before we welcome passengers.

“When the Southwest Metro opens later this year, it will completely change the way people travel across Sydney, giving thousands of people faster, more frequent and more reliable public transport every day.”

The exact opening date will be confirmed after testing, trial running and regulatory approvals are complete.