Southwest Metro: Warning Issued As Massive Crowds Predicted For Tomorrow’s Opening

With the highly anticipated opening of the new Southwest Metro this Friday 30 October, tens of thousands of first-time riders are expected to cram onto into its carriages tomorrow morning.

With the buzz around the opening and shorter trip times, commuters and travellers are warned that Friday may not be the best time to go for a joyride.

Sydney Metro predicts that between the morning peak hour on Friday from 8am and 9am, about 18,000 passengers will take the metro between Bankstown and Sydenham.

Metro Southwest project director Alia Karaman told the Sydney Morning Herald that she would not be shocked if actual turnout exceeds this number. She told the masthead that extra staff have been rostered on over the next few days, to account for the projected high turnout of passengers.

“I’m always overwhelmed and surprised by the level of metro mania in Sydney,” Karaman said. “Any sort of element that could be overwhelmed, we are giving it a hyper-care arrangement to ensure a quicker response”.

Train Set 29 Returns

The first service will take off from Bankstown Station at 4.31am, with train enthusiast expected to show up early tomorrow morning and be amongst the first to ride the Southwest Metro.

Moreover, this first service will be completed by Train Set 29 – the exact same set of carriages that carried the first passengers from Sydenham on 19 August 2024, when the new metro line opened up. Today to prepare, Set 29 is getting a full spring cleaning and mechanical check.

“It is very fitting that Train Set 29, which carried the first passengers on the opening day service from Sydenham in 2024, will once again carry the first passengers through southwest Sydney,” said Transport Minister John Graham.

“Say Goodbye to the Pink Buses”

After the old T3 line closed in September 2024, Southwestern Sydney has endured the pink Southwest Link buses for two years. With the opening of the new metro, these are finally being retired.

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said, “Inner westies are so excited to say goodbye to the pink buses and say hello to the new Metro as we count down the final hours until opening.”

While the removal of the pink buses is imminent, they will continue operating for the opening of the Southwestern Sydney Metro on Friday 30 October, as well as over this weekend as back-up before officially ceasing operation by next week.

“We’re expecting thousands of journeys on day one and will be closely monitoring the network as customers experience their new metro services. Our staff will be on hand across stations and trains to help passengers and answer any questions along the way,” said Sydney Metro Chief Executive Camilla Drover.