High-speed testing begins on Southwest metro
High-speed testing along Sydney's delayed $29 billion Southwest metro line will commence this week, alongside ongoing safety assessments at half of the stations. This follows revelations from the Herald last week that the Sydenham to Bankstown section of the M1 line is anticipated to open in September 2026, a delay of two years since the train line's closure and a year beyond the initial expectation.
The closure of the line in September 2024 led to significant disruptions for commuters, with tens of thousands relying on replacement buses daily, resulting in extended travel times and altered schedules. The testing will involve trains operating at speeds up to 100km/h, an upgrade from the current low-speed testing phase, which limited speeds to 25km/h.
A minimum of 9000 hours and 30,000 kilometres of combined testing is required before the line can open. Increased activity is expected in the coming weeks and months. The current testing regime, initiated in April, involved a single train traveling at low speed, accumulating over 700 hours and 3000 kilometres. The high-speed testing phase will involve multiple trains, with more being added as the testing progresses.
On Monday, the Minns government announced that the transformation of the 11 stations along the line has reached 75% completion. Painting, tiling, and Opal gate installation are underway, while passenger information display screens are being mounted. The installation of speakers, CCTV, door security, and hearing loops is also in progress.
The final approval for the line's opening rests with the national rail safety regulator. The Minns government has been cautious in publicly committing to an opening date for the conversion of the former T3 heavy rail line between Sydenham and Bankstown to driverless metro trains. The project's complexity has been further challenged by the installation of 170 mechanical gap fillers at eight stations, ensuring commuters' safe access to and from the trains.
Initially, the previous Coalition government's plans stipulated the southwest section's opening in 2024, concurrent with the rest of the second stage between Chatswood and Sydenham. NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed gratitude to commuters for their patience during the delays, acknowledging the challenges faced by local communities and businesses.
"We understand the patience this has required from local communities and businesses, and I want to thank them for sticking with us," he said. "Their support has helped make one of the biggest transport transformations in Sydney's history possible."
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