First major test of Sydney Metro system at peak hour
Thousands of commuters travelling to work and school have given the new Sydney Metro the green light on its first official day running in peak hours.
It is fast, reliable and in demand.
This is the message from first-time users experiencing the Sydney Metro Northwest during its first test for commuters today.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said feedback from customers had been “overwhelmingly positive” this morning.
“Opal data shows about 21,000 people used Sydney Metro until 10am today,” the spokesman said.
“The metro operator, Metro Trains Sydney, advises that trains ran on average between five and six-minute intervals during the morning peak.
“There were high volumes at Epping so the train stopping times were increased by a short amount to ensure people got on to the trains.”
Commuter carparks were filling fast by 7am at Tallawong station, one of the largest on the new network, but commuters told The Daily Telegraph it was “a dream accessing the station”.
Castle Hill resident Phil Morrissey commutes to Macquarie Park daily and said the service would see a dramatic decrease in travel time.
“Driving to Macquarie Park on the M2 can take anywhere between 25 minutes and an hour,” he said.
“But now the train is 18 minutes, so I can be out the door and at work in 25 minutes.
“I will be using the Metro every day. I thought it would be popular today so it is good to see people using it.”
University student and part time administrative assistant Samantha Haynes, 23, said the service was a game changer to access her job at Chatswood and Macquarie University.
“It will take so much time off my daily commute,” she said.
“I know these trains are going to be more frequent than my other one through Blacktown, so that is a bonus as well.
“Getting to work at Chatswood will be much easier.”
Ms Haynes said she did not expect to see any delays on the line this morning, despite issues with trains at Macquarie Park station yesterday, where train doors did not align with station gates.
Gilroy College students Alana Serra and Laticia Jabour said the new service means they are not forced to catch a 40 minute bus each way from Kellyville.
“This is awesome, it is fast, reliable and really convenient,” Miss Serra said.
“We will be using the train every single day and it is now a 12 minute commuter to school, rather than a 40 minute one.”
Miss Janour said it meant she could have a little extra sleep in every morning and get home from school faster.
“I definitely prefer the metro over my old bus,” she said.
Wentworthville commuter Noorunnisa Yasmeen said accessing the new Metro service at Epping “was a breeze”.
“It is great to see it running so well and so popular (on the first day of full service),” she said.
“I had to wait because the last train at Epping was very full, but my husband helped me on this train and we are having a good experience so far.
CommSec employee Kevin Gao travels from North Ryde to Redfern and said the metro will save him 15 to 20 minutes everyday.
“I normally leave by 7.40am, but today I got on a little later,” he said.
“After delays the network saw yesterday I don’t think they will let them happen again today.
“I had a look at the metro and I was with a lot of people who were delayed at the Chatswood interchange.”
Transport Secretary Rodd Staples said it was an exciting day as he welcomed passengers onto trains travelling from Chatswood back to Tallawong Station in Rouse Hill.
“We are all very excited, really excited for the people that have built it. But importantly, the people that are using it today,” Mr Staples told the Telegraph.
“To actually be out with the commuters and hear stories about how it’s changed the lives is just overwhelming.”
Mr Staples confirmed trains were running every 5 minutes along the new northwest line, with 16 trains in action.
“Lots of people telling me how they are experimenting with their trips, he said.
“But people from The Hills travelling to Macquarie Park told me they are saving 30 minutes each way.”
The Metro platforms at Epping station were packed from 7.30am until 8am.
Helen Colville, of North Kellyville, boarded at Rouse Hill and, as the service approached Chatswood station, she said: “Everything seems to be running smoothly so far.
“I got a seat straight away. It’s been a lot easier commute than most days.”
Ms Colville said her commute to Wynyard was set to be “a lot less”.
“Usually it takes me an hour and a half to get to work each way so I’m really looking forward to seeing how this can improve my commute,” she said.
Nick Cowman, a national business development manager with Enviropacific, spent two years working on the 4km-long Skytrain section of the route between Kellyville and Rouse Hill.
“It’s great to see it come to light today,” he said after finishing his commute from Tallawong to Epping.
“Great to see everyone getting amongst it this morning — all ages, school kids and some train buffs along the way.
“It was much better than $7.50 on the M2 (Motorway).”
Student Liz Tyrrell, of Castle Hill, said of the Metro service after disembarking at Epping station: “It’s really good; so much faster.
“I’m saving half an hour per trip because I used to have to drive to Pennant Hills and then go to Sydney University.
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“And it’s going to save me three hours a week.”
Mahshad Ebadi, of Pennant Hills, gave a big thumbs up to Metro after her commute from Epping to Chatswood.
“That was fantastic — and there was no wait,” she said.
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