NSW Government to finally announce Sydney Metro northwest opening date
The NSW Government is set to announce the opening of the Sydney Metro northwest network, coinciding with a major event.
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The Sydney Metro northwest will open to the public to coincide with one of the state’s largest tourism events — Vivid Sydney.
A NSW Government source revealed exclusively to The Hills Shire Times thatthe Metro northwest network would open on Sunday, May 26.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced the official opening date confirming to the Times the $8 billion landmark metro line, stretching from Tallawong station at Rouse Hill to Chatswood station, would open in time to ferry thousands of customers from The Hills and Sydney’s northwest to Vivid Sydney.
Timetables for services are available, allowing commuters three weeks to plan for the first trip.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the opening of the Metro is “an exciting time for the future of public transport”.
“Thousands of commuters will have access to world class metro rail,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have delivered the North West Metro on time and more than $1 billion under budget.
“This project is the result of hard work, discipline and focus — I want to thank all those involved in delivering this important project.”
The scheduled opening of the Sydney Metro northwest comes amid newly discredited claims an investigation into the accessibility of driver consoles was being conducted by SafeWork NSW and the Rail Safety Authority, resulting in delays in the opening of the line.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said SafeWork NSW had “no regulatory role in the operations of railways and the Rail Safety Authority is not an organisation”.
“The national rail safety regulator has been closely involved in the commissioning of Sydney Metro and has not raised any issues with Sydney Metro about train consoles,” the spokesman said.
“The consoles are secured and not easily accessible — Metro trains like Sydney’s new trains are safely used around the world.”
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said she was glad an opening date had been set.
“As a community we are incredibly excited to know that in just three short weeks we will be stepping on to our metro for the very first time after decades of on-again, off-again promises,” she said.
“I want to thank the NSW Government for delivering the metro to the Hills and in particularly “I would like to acknowledge the role the Premier had in the planning and delivery of the rail when she was the transport minister.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE METRO OPENING
WHERE TO PARK: A breakdown of available parking
WHERE YOU CAN’T PARK: restrictions in place on local streets
HOW MUCH IT WILL COST: A breakdown of the Metro fares
Cr Byrne said the opening of the rail wpuld be a “game changer” for the area, “making it easier for residents to travel around the Hills as well as to other parts of Sydney”.
“With a rapidly growing population we desperately need the rail to improve the quality of life for our residents and to reduce the congestion on our roads,” she said.
“I know what I will be doing on May 26th and I encourage the community to join me in celebrating the opening of our rail.”
A Sydney Metro northwest construction employee, who did not wish to be named, said he and other colleagues were working on the fit-out of the tunnels and stabling yards as late as this week.
“I have worked on the project for the past two-and-a-half years,” he said.
“We are expecting a major announcement on Sunday morning, but some of the stations just aren’t finished.”
The construction worker said testing and operational work was still under way across the entire project, as they worked to “polish up the line”.
“I have been working in the tunnels, so I haven’t seen the stations in months, but they need every minute over the next three weeks to finish things up,” he said.
“I am looking forward to the rides, I will be telling my son everything that I contributed to —
I am excited to say that I was part of it.
“It has been a fantastic project working with a group of amazing people from all different backgrounds and skills.”
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