Southwest Metro Begins High-Speed Testing As Project Nears Completion
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High-speed testing of the new M1 metro-line in Southwest between Sydenham and Bankstown has now begun, with trains running at speeds of up to 100 km/h for the first time.
Until now, only low-speed 25 km/h runs have been tested and only one train has travelled the route and completed 700 hours and 3.000 kilometers. In total, at least 9000 hours and 30.000 kilometers of combined testing must be completed before the new metro-line can be opened and in this new phase of high-speed testing, more trains will also be added to the route as the testing progresses.
“High-speed testing on the Southwest Metro line is a critical step forward to delivering what will be a game changing piece of transport infrastructure,” said NSW premier Chris Minns.
“We understand the patience this has required from local communities and businesses, and I want to thank them for sticking with us. Their support has helped make one of the biggest transport transformations in Sydney’s history possible.”
Project plagued with delays
The new M1 metro-line project hasn’t come without criticism as the project has been delayed several times since beginning almost two years ago.
Just last week, the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the metro-line was likely to be delayed yet another year due to a combination of lack of security testing of the driverless trains, logistical challenges mixed with the difficulties of transforming the old T3 train-line.
Up to 60,000 old commuters of the old T3 train line have been forced to switch to replacement buses or alternate transport to meet their travel needs, with the pink S1 buses contracted until the end of 2026.
However, Transport Minister Graham ensures that the new metro-line will be worth the wait.
“Sydney Metro has transformed how millions of people get around, and it is exciting news that we are entering high-speed testing here on the Southwest Metro line,” he said.
“The T3 Bankstown line was a notorious bottleneck and a Metro will open more doors to job and education opportunities while also bringing more business to this part of Sydney.”
The new metro-line will include 15 metro trains an hour compared to the eight trains an hour on the former T3-line. This means that a metro train will run every four minutes at the peak.
The NSW Government explained that painting and tiling are underway at all 11 stations along the route, and the installation of Opal gates is nearing completion. At station level, the transformation of the Southwest line has reached a 75 per cent completion.
