Sydney Metro celebrates new driverless trains and 50 million commuter trips

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – The NSW Government is celebrating major milestones with Sydney Metro – 50 million commuter trips since opening three years ago and the start of passenger services on the first of 23 new trains for the next stage of Australia’s biggest public transport project.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said 50 million passenger journeys made it very clear that commuters across Sydney’s north-west had embraced travelling on the Metro.

“Last night we hit another major milestone as new driverless trains for the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project join the existing North West Metro Line trains, following a rigorous testing regime,” Mr Elliott said.

“Most of the new trains for the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project have been delivered and undergone rigorous operational testing with four, which have completed all testing and commissioning, joining the North West Metro fleet this week.

“Once the testing program is completed, all 23 new trains are expected to be in service on the North West Metro Line in the first half of next year, doubling the number of trains on the network and providing customers with additional flexibility.

“Sydney Metro is a city-shaping project that will transform how this city moves, with metro trains able to take more people across the Harbour in the busiest hour of the peak than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel combined. This new fleet will ensure commuters have access to metro services every four minutes from Rouse Hill to the heart of Sydney.”

The testing and commissioning confirms each train meets stringent design and operational requirements and adheres to Sydney Metro’s strict safety standards, including completing a minimum of 500 kilometres of travel prior to integration into passenger services.

Once the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line is connected with the operational line at Chatswood, trains will begin testing in the 15.5km twin tunnels under Sydney Harbour and through the seven new city stations.

Plenary is part of the NRT consortium that delivered and now operates the $3.7 billion operations, trains and systems component of North West Metro, and that is delivering the $3.7 billion City and Southwest extension.