Sydney Metro: Metro North West Line closures, bus replacements announced to prepare for opening of new city section

Commuters across a 51km stretch of Sydney have been warned to prepare for major transport disruptions as testing for the next leg of the Sydney Metro halts services across the line.

Commuters across a stretch of Sydney’s Metro line have been warned of closures in the coming months as the city prepares to open its new city section.

Extensive testing will take place along more than 51km of track – from Tallawong in Sydney’s northwest, beneath the Sydney CBD, and out to Sydenham in the city’s southwest.

Sydney Metro will be conducting extensive testing on 51km of track ahead of the opening of the city Metro line. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett.

In a statement Sydney Metro said it would conduct testing over the next two months to ensure its “trains and control systems are able to transition seamlessly between the existing Metro North West Line and the new city section”, before it opens later this year.

However, as testing ramps up, the Metro North West Line will be closed for a number of weekends in March and April.

the Sydney Metro line will open later in 2024. Picture: Supplied.

Weekend replacement buses will run every weekend – except the Easter weekend of March 30 and 31 – until April 14.

Buses will also replace nightly metro services on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 8.40pm to 2am throughout that period; including: March 5, March 6, March 12, March 13, April 2, April 3, April 16, and April 17.

Buses will replace the nightly metro services from 8.40pm to 2am on Thursday April 4, and April 18.

Commuters have been told that replacement buses will run on weekends and on weeknights throughout the testing period. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

Sydney Metro said its testing will ensure all existing and new elements – “including communication systems, platform screen doors and public service announcements” – are working together and smoothly.

Passengers are being warned to allow for extra travel time and plan ahead by visiting transportnsw.info or using trip planning apps.