Sydney Metro Faces New Delay as Testing Begins
03.11.2025
Sydney Metro is set to experience a new year of delays as a result of the imminent commencement of critical tests involving driverless trains on the Sydenham-Bankstown line in the southern suburbs of Sydney.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Sydney Metro Testing Pushes Project to 2026
Testing is expected to commence this year, although commercial operations are subject to approval by the national rail safety regulator. As a result, the South-West line is expected to open in September 2026.
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The previous government had planned a launch of this line in 2024, which will coincide with the Chatswood-Sydenham Link. Due to the complicated conversions as well as disputes in the industries, this project has been deferred. Approximately 60,000 commuters use replacement S1 buses that will be contracted until the end of 2026.
Premier Minns stated that the giving of any date by the government in respect of when the testing will be done will only come once those milestones are met. This is to avoid disappointing people if certain technological problems develop.
Sydney Metro Upgrade Aims to Improve Connectivity
Once finished, the Sydney Metro upgrade will reduce travel time between Bankstown and Central to a mere 28 minutes, which is faster than the current suburban train line by six minutes. It will also boost train services in the region, eliminating one of the biggest bottlenecks on the Sydney railway network.
Now, authorities are confident that new infrastructure, automated operations, and efficiency will boost the Sydney transport network. Yet the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union is displeased with the continued delays happening in the project, advising Transport for NSW to stop pointing fingers and focus on the completion of the project.
This is one of the most extensive infrastructural projects that Australia is undertaking. At a cost of 30 billion dollars, experts point out that effective communication, safety, and labor will be important factors in maintaining people’s trust in this project.
Source: cityhub.com.au
News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:
What is the current status of the Sydney Metro project?
Sydney Metro is undergoing safety and driverless-train testing, with the final South-West section now expected to open in 2026.
How will Sydney Metro improve travel in south-west Sydney?
The project will reduce travel times, increase service frequency, and eliminate long-standing congestion along the former T3 Bankstown line.
Can commuters use other transport options during the delay?
Yes. Replacement S1 buses and alternate routes remain available until the new Sydney Metro service begins.
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