In case you missed it, Sydney’s transport system is set to get a major upgrade with the development of the new Sydney Metro rapid transit network. As well as new trains, there will also be new stations, and the network will dramatically reduce travel times from certain parts of Sydney to others (though not without disruption, more on that here). Sydney’s shiny new subway system has hit some major milestones, with all 45 Metro trains from the current fleet have now completed at least one return journey between Tallawong and Sydenham at operational speed (i.e. breakneck speed), the first station at Waterloo is now complete and the fences have come down around a brand new waterfront station at Barangaroo. In June, the planned opening date was set for August 2024, but less than seven days before the planned start date, work was postponed – with no new opening date confirmed. Here’s everything we know about the new Sydney Metro so far.
What is the Sydney Metro?
The Sydney Metro is a new transport system currently being built beneath the city. Using driverless high-speed trains, the system is designed to dramatically improve the ease and speed with which Sydney residents can move around the city – travelling under the harbour and bringing commuters from From the new Victoria Cross Station in northern Sydney under the harbour to Barangaroo in three minutes. Other stops on the subway line are Castle Hill, Macquarie University and a large superhub in the CBD at Martin Place.
With its frequent, super-fast services, the Metro will make commuting easier (and faster) across Sydney. Construction work has and will continue to cause significant disruption to our transport system (particularly for People on the Bankstown to Sydenham line), but from what we know so far, it sounds like it will be worth it.
When will the Sydney Metro open?
The first section of the Sydney Metro (Sydney Metro Northwest) opened in May 2019 – a high-speed section from Chatswood to Tallawong Station in Rouse Hill.
The focus is currently on the completion of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest Line, a 30-kilometre stretch of From Chatswood to Bankstown. It looks like Metro City and Southwest line is scheduled to open in August 2024 (in other words: really very soon) – with a Central station under Martin Place, which functions as a superhub.
How fast will the Sydney Metro be?
Estimated travel times have been released and it looks like we’ll be able to zip around the city pretty quickly. Currently, estimated travel times on the subway are as follows:
- From Castle Hill to Martin Place in 35 minutes
- From Macquarie University to Central in 26 minutes
- From Chatswood to Gadigal in 13 minutes
- From Victoria Cross in the north of Sydney under the harbour to Barangaroo in 3 minutes
- Central to Martin Place in 4 minutes
- Central to Sydenham in 7 minutes
- From Sydenham to Chatswood in 22 minutes
Photo: Supplied | NSW Government | Justin Sanson
Which stations are on the Sydney Metro line?
The The Sydney Metro City & Southwest line will run from Chatswood to Bankstown, through the city and under the harbour, with new Stations in Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street, Waterloo and new subway platforms in Central. Due to the completion of the Southwest Line, the Bankstown to Sydenham rail line will be closed for 12 months. More information on what this means for commuters can be found here.
Big news for Sydney’s western suburbs is that – after years of uncertainty – the government has confirmed that Sydney Metro West is actually being builtThe timeline for this is longer, with completion estimated at 2032 – but it should mean big things for the city. Sydney Metro West is set to connect Sydney’s CBD with the sprawling new city centre next to Sydney’s new airport, and the government plans to create even more affordable housing along the route.
“From the middle of this year, our city will have six brand new subway stations, offering commuters more travel options than ever before,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen has commented on the project.
The opening of the Sydney Metro is imminent. Find out more and follow the progress here (pun intended) Here.
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