When the latest stretch of the Sydney Metro project first started welcoming passengers exactly a year ago, Sydneysiders went a little wild. The shiny, speedy new public transport system quickly gained cult-like popularity in the city, and has been described as the biggest upgrade to Sydney’s transport system since the opening of the Harbour Bridge back in 1932. On day one of the Sydney Metro “City” section (364 days ago – on August 19, 2024), 190,000 passengers tapped on. Since then, the new stretch of driverless train line has facilitated more than 66.8 million trips, with an average of 120,000 metro trips below Sydney Harbour every weekday.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the line, Sydney Metro is hosting a special birthday metro ride early tomorrow morning. At 4.54am tomorrow morning (Tuesday, August 19), Train Set 29 (TS29 – the same train that made that first journey) will depart Sydenham platform 1, and travel the full length of the M1 line, reenacting the first journey through the City network (which took place at exactly the same time, exactly a year ago).
Not committed enough to get up before dawn to ride the metro? Us neither, but we were keen to learn what’s happening over at Sydney Metro HQ exactly a year on from the launch of the City line.
When will the next stretch of Sydney Metro open?
The existing operational line will eventually extend as far as Bankstown, with construction work at stations along the Southwest Metro line conversion now reaching two-thirds completion. On track to open in 2026, the 13.5-kilometre metro line will replace the former T3 Bankstown rail line, with metro trains connecting stations including Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and Campsie. You can learn more about the Sydenham to Bankstown metro conversion over here.
Where will Sydney Metro go once it’s complete?
According to existing plans, the Sydney Metro network will comprise 46 stations once it’s complete – with the existing line eventually connecting Tallawong to Bankstown via the CBD, another line connecting Westmead to the CBD via Sydney Olympic Park, and another line connecting St Mary’s to the new Western Sydney Airport.
When will the Sydney Metro project be finished?
The next stretch of the M1 line (extending from Sydenham to Bankstown) is on track to open next year, but the dates for the other sections of the project are less clear – with Sydney Metro West anticipated to open in 2032, and the Western Sydney Airport Metro Line due to open in 2027.
You can learn more about the Sydney Metro project over here.
Wondering what the new stations will look like? Here’s a sneak peek.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.