Key facts
- Sydney's Southwest Metro extension opens Friday, October 30.
- The extension connects Bankstown to the city's metro network.
- Journey from Bankstown to Central will take 28 minutes.
- Project faced delays due to conversion challenges and safety data.
- Six doors on the line will be temporarily out of use.
The Southwest Metro extension in Sydney will officially open on Friday, October 30, after more than two years of relying on replacement buses. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced the opening, marking the completion of a significant transformation for the city's southwest.
The extension connects Bankstown to the existing metro network, creating a continuous 66-kilometer line from Tallawong to Bankstown. The conversion of the former T3 heavy rail line, which closed in September 2024, faced delays due to challenges in adapting the historic infrastructure and obtaining final safety approvals from the regulator.
Upon opening, travel times are expected to be significantly reduced, with a journey from Bankstown to Central taking approximately 28 minutes, a six-minute saving compared to the previous heavy rail service. The new metro line is designed to increase capacity by an additional 17,000 people during peak hours.