Sydney Opens $23 Billion Autonomous Metro Line After Major Project Completion
Sydney officially opened its new $23 billion metro railway section, completing the 66-kilometer M1 line. The autonomous network features driverless trains and aims to significantly reduce urban travel times.
Sydney's new $23 billion metro railway officially opened to passengers last week, completing the city-spanning M1 line. Hundreds of rail enthusiasts gathered early in the morning at Bankstown station to witness the departure of the inaugural train toward the central business district.
The newly launched section adds ten stations between Bankstown and Sydenham to the Australian metro network. This opening completes the full M1 line, which now connects Tallawang in the city's northwest, runs beneath the harbor and through the city center, and terminates in the southwestern metropolis. The total route spans 66 kilometers, with an end-to-end journey taking approximately 80 minutes. The entire network operates using autonomous, driverless trains.
The ribbon was officially cut at around 04:00, and roughly fifteen minutes later, the first train pulled into the platform. Train frequencies on the line will feature a service every four minutes during peak hours, every five minutes throughout the day, and every ten minutes during evenings and weekends. Transport authorities expect high demand from day one, projecting an increase of about 10,000 morning commuters on the southwestern section alone.
Local reports from Bankstown station noted that boarding the first train was exceptionally crowded, with crowds cheering as the carriages departed on schedule. Transport representatives stated:
"These communities have been patient, and that patience is paying off this morning as the Metro Southwest hits the tracks for the first time."
The completion of the project is expected to shorten travel times across the city and ease traffic congestion in the region.
