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First driverless trains arrive on Sydney Metro northwest network

Years of development and hundreds of thousands of man-hours to construct 13 new metro station came down to one journey today.

Years of development and hundreds of thousands of man-hours to construct 13 new metro station came down to one journey today.

The Sydney Metro northwest line has seen its first complete train journey across the entire 36km network — stretching from Tallawong station at Rouse Hill to Chatswood station — amid what the NSW Government has described as an intensive testing process of its first driverless infrastructure project.

Tallawong Metro Station in Rouse Hill saw the first testing of driverless metro trains.
Tallawong Metro Station in Rouse Hill saw the first testing of driverless metro trains.
Tallawong Metro Station in Rouse Hill.
Tallawong Metro Station in Rouse Hill.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the opening of the Metro line was “around the corner” following the complete test today.

“When this line opens, there will be turn-up-and-go services every four minutes — massively improving the experience for residents throughout Sydney’s northwest,” she said.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said teams were currently finishing stations, car parks and testing trains, “to get the Northwest rail line open as quickly as possible, on time and at least $500 million under budget”.

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Work is still being done to retrofit the existing railway tunnels between Epping and Chatswood, while the entire line saw the installation of platform screen doors to increase safety.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said testing of the new network was well underway.

“About 19,000km of train testing has taken place so far on the Sydney Metro system,

with 17 of the fleet of 22 trains delivered,” he said.

Sydney Metro Northwest: Bella Vista’s new metro railway station is taking shape with the iconic station canopy being installed. Picture: Transport for NSW
Sydney Metro Northwest: Bella Vista’s new metro railway station is taking shape with the iconic station canopy being installed. Picture: Transport for NSW

“On-board train systems will be tested over the coming months as well as signalling,

braking and acceleration at different speeds in the tunnel.”

The Sydney Metro northwest network and its 13 stations are expected to open in May.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hills-shire-times/first-driverless-trains-arrive-on-sydney-metro-northwest-network/news-story/0ea1037fb9354639b04acb42d8a883a6