Sydney Metro extension testing drives line closures ahead of Bankstown link

Sydney Metro extension testing will trigger a series of Sydney Trains line closures over the next few months as the network prepares for the Sydenham to Bankstown extension (see travel notices via Transport for NSW).

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Why Sydney Metro extension testing requires closures?

Sydney Trains says the planned shutdowns are designed to give teams safe access to connect the new Southwest Metro with the existing M1 Metro Line ahead of services starting in the second half of 2026.

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Along the southwest corridor, metro services and systems will be tested to make sure they work smoothly with the M1 line and the operations control centre. A Railway Supply overview also references testing activity linked to the Southwest Metro program.

The operator says this testing phase is needed to confirm the extension is safe and reliable before opening, supporting faster and more frequent metro services for southwest Sydney.

Sydney Metro line closures: January and February dates

Two weekend blocks will halt metro services across the full Tallawong to Sydenham section: Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 January, and Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 January. During each Tallawong to Sydenham shutdown, replacement buses will operate between Tallawong and Chatswood (see Transport for NSW travel advice and Rail Express).

Another weekend closure follows on Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 February, when there will be no metro services between Tallawong and Chatswood. Over that period, metro services will run only between Chatswood and Sydenham, and replacement buses will cover the Tallawong–Chatswood section.

Travel options: replacement buses and rail alternatives

For the January weekend closures, passengers are advised to use trains between Epping or Chatswood, the City and Sydenham, alongside replacement buses running between Tallawong and Chatswood.

Late-night changes will also apply from 9.50pm on Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 January, Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 February, and Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 February. On those nights, metro services will operate only between Tallawong and Martin Place and between Martin Place and Central, with no metro services running between Central and Sydenham.

Sydney Trains also notes that separate information is available about further trackwork affecting travel from 9.50pm on Friday 23 to Sunday 25 January.

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