Blow for commuters as Southwest Metro opening delayed until 2026
Thousands of commuters on Sydney’s Bankstown line face more months of travelling on replacement buses, after the NSW government confirmed the opening of the Southwest Metro will be delayed until 2026.
Nine train stations along the T3 train line, between Sydenham and Bankstown, were closed in September last year to convert the heavy rail line to a metro line.
The metro conversion was expected to take until at least September this year, and commuters have been using rail replacement buses, which will continue to operate for free until the new Southwest Metro opens.
More than 130 days of work have been impacted by industrial action, limiting access to work sites and restricting work permits, according to Transport Minister John Graham.
Transport Minister John Graham confirmed the delay at a press conference. (ABC News: Danuta Kozaki)
That required reprograming works including electrification changes and disconnecting from adjoining rail networks, and extending the Bankstown platform.
Mr Graham said that it was a complex project to work on a live rail line to build a new metro line and it would open in 2026.
“I wouldn’t be suggesting there are going to be major disruptions down the track,” he said.
Mr Graham acknowledged the uncertainty the delays created for businesses along the new metro lines but said there would be no change to the approach to compensation.
“We know people are waiting for these projects to open. That’s true of passengers. It’s also true of businesses, and I think, and I really want to thank them for their patience as we work through these complex projects, but these are complex projects that will change the city. The benefit that we’ll see is for decades long,” he said.
Once complete, the metro will run from Sydenham to Bankstown, completing a 30-kilometre service between the north-west and south-west via North Sydney, the CBD and inner west.
Government tight-lipped on cost
Questioned about the blowout in budget estimates, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey refused to reveal how much the delay was expected to cost taxpayers, citing “commercial in confidence”.
“I’m not going to tell you,” Mr Mookhey said, when pressed by the opposition’s Damien Tudehope.
The treasurer said it would be “premature” to put a figure on the hit to the state’s coffers as Sydney Metro was working to lessen the impact of the delay.
