Sydney Metro has recorded more than 130 million passenger journeys since its City operations began in August 2024, with weekday ridership surpassing 291,000 trips, according to Railway Gazette International. Since the start of metro service, commuter patterns shifted significantly. North Sydney station patronage dropped from 25,400 to 12,200 boardings following the opening of Victoria Cross metro station, while St Leonards station saw a decline from 16,000 to 10,600 after Crows Nest metro station began operations. These changes reflect how Sydney Metro’s network expansion has drawn passengers away from older suburban railway stations.
Progress on Bankstown Extension and Testing
The 13 km Bankstown extension, converting the former
T3 suburban line closed in 2024, is in final testing stages ahead of an expected opening in the second half of 2026. Early July 2026 marked the first full-length test runs of automated trains between Tallawong and Bankstown on Metro Line M1. Metro Trains Sydney, the operating company, has undertaken 22,000 km of train testing out of the required 30,000 km and completed more than half of the necessary 9,000 testing hours. Trial running has commenced following the handover from construction teams, focusing on system integration and safety validation across trains, signalling, and platform screen doors.
Sydney Metro West Tunnelling Complete, Station Work Underway
Construction on Sydney Metro
West reached a milestone in March 2026 when all 24 km of twin tunnels between Westmead and Sydney CBD were completed. The project has since prioritized station building, tunnel fit-out, rail systems installation, and track laying, aiming for a scheduled opening in 2032. The new line will serve nine stations from Westmead to Hunter Street and will connect with Parramatta Light Rail, Sydney Trains, and bus services. CRRC is contracted to supply a fleet of 16 fully automated trainsets for this line. Sydney Metro West is set to double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, reducing travel
time to about 22 minutes between Westmead and Hunter Street.
Advancements on Western Sydney Airport Line
Tracklaying on the 23 km Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line was completed in June 2026, with ongoing station construction and railway systems work. Dynamic testing is planned to begin later in 2026. Siemens Mobility delivered the first of twelve 3-car automated trains for this line in July 2026. These trains are tailored for airport travelers, featuring wider aisles, dedicated luggage storage, real-time flight information displays, bicycle storage, wheelchair spaces, and hearing loops. The line will serve key locations such as St Marys, Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport, and Bradfield, positioning
it as the transport spine for the Western Parkland City.
Sydney Metro’s Urban Renewal and Long-term Vision
Sydney Metro’s projects combine new underground lines, conversion of existing rail corridors, transit-oriented development, and urban regeneration around stations. This integrated approach has helped attract new public transport users, reducing overcrowding on older rail lines. Extensive testing—over half of 9,000 testing hours planned for the Bankstown extension—ensures safe and reliable service from launch. Line M1 will extend 66 km between Tallawong and Bankstown with 31 stations after the Southwest Metro opening. The Western Sydney Airport line and Metro West offer additional east-west corridors, supporting Sydney’s growth by improving connectivity and
enabling faster, more efficient travel.
