Rahul Somvanshi
The first metro train has officially begun testing on Sydney’s Southwest Metro tracks, marking a major step forward for the project that will transform the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line into a modern metro service.
Testing started at 4am when train set TS 28 completed the inaugural 6.5-kilometer journey to Campsie Station in 5 hours. Once the line opens next year, passengers will make the same trip in just 11 minutes.
The testing milestone follows significant conversion work completed by more than 800 workers since the T3 line closed on September 30 last year. Initial tests are being conducted at speeds under 25km/h under manual control, examining critical factors like:
- Train clearance on curves
- Safe distances between trains and platforms
- Signaling functions and radio coverage
- Platform screen door interfaces
- Mechanical gap filler performance
Testing will later progress to higher speeds and transition from manual to automated train operations. The process will include over 6,500 hours of train testing between Sydenham and Bankstown.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the patience of southwest Sydney residents: “This is an exciting day for southwest Sydney who have put up with major disruption to their train services and waited patiently for what will be a transformative new metro service.”
The Southwest Metro will provide trains every four minutes at stations including Bankstown, Belmore, Campsie, and Canterbury. Transport Minister John Graham noted the Southwest section is expected to add 17,000 people to the rail network every hour during peak periods.
For Campsie residents, the metro will cut travel times significantly – reaching Central Station in 18 minutes, Chatswood in 33 minutes, and Macquarie University in 44 minutes.
When the final section opens next year, Sydney will have a 66-kilometer metro network connecting the city’s northwest with the southwest, passing under the harbor and through the CBD.
The project is also enabling housing development along the Southwest Metro line through transport-oriented development, putting homes near public transport to improve affordability and reduce building costs.
Passengers on the M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line should expect disruptions during testing, including several full or partial line closures and some evenings where service will stop at 10pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sydney Metro Southwest is expected to open next year. Once operational, the full 66-kilometer metro network will connect Sydney’s northwest with the southwest, passing under the harbor and through the Sydney CBD.
The Metro Southwest will significantly cut travel times. For example, the journey from Campsie to Central Station will take just 18 minutes, to Chatswood 33 minutes, and to Macquarie University 44 minutes. The 6.5-kilometer stretch that currently takes 5 hours during testing will take only 11 minutes when operational.
The Sydney Metro Southwest will provide a “turn-up-and-go” service with trains running every four minutes during peak periods at stations including Bankstown, Belmore, Campsie, and Canterbury.
Yes, passengers on the M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line should expect disruptions during the testing phase. There will be several full or partial line closures, and on some evenings, the service will stop running at 10pm.
The testing includes over 6,500 hours between Sydenham and Bankstown. Initial tests at speeds under 25km/h check train clearance on curves, safe distances between trains and platforms, signaling functions, platform screen door interfaces, and mechanical gap filler performance. Later testing will include higher speeds and automated train operations.
According to Transport Minister John Graham, the Southwest section of the M1 Metro Line is expected to add an additional 17,000 people to the rail network every hour during peak periods.
