Premier ‘absolutely awestruck’ over Sydney Metro northwest

The long-awaited Sydney Metro North West will carry thousands of commuters each day from Sunday, May 26 — and Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “absolutely awestruck” with the network.

• Massive Anglicare plans for north west
• All systems go for game-changing network
• Better facilities for pedestrians, cyclists

The long-awaited Sydney Metro North West will carry thousands of commuters each day from Sunday, May 26 — and Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “absolutely awestruck” with the network.

Ms Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance said they were excited about the new transport network opening to the public via the $7.3 billion Sydney Metro today, May 5.

Trains will initially be scheduled to arrive every five minutes, which will then move to four.

They can move up 120km per hour, making the Metro one of the fastest in Australia.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Secretary of Transport Rodd Staples enter Kellyville station. Picture: Transport for NSW

The Metro northwest line includes 13 stations between Tallawong and Chatswood.

Mr Constance called it a phenomenal project, which would be a game changer.

Ms Berejiklian and Mr Constance were joined by the media and families of officials during a speedy train ride from Kellyville station and Castle Hill and back this afternoon.

“I am absolutely awestruck,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It is such an exciting time for public transport not only for the Sydney but the whole state as the Metro is the way of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and guests enjoy the first official ride. Picture: Transport for NSW

“This is a team effort and I can’t thank everyone involved with the project enough.”

Ms Berejiklian praised the efforts of then project manager, Mr Stapes.

Mr Constance said the new generation of driverless trains had completed more than 180,000km of testing and final commissioning was under way.

“The Metro is probably the best in the world,’’ he said.

“It is going to be much loved and it’s going to be a game changer for the city and decades to come.

“This is a fully autonomous network and it will not be affected by anything which happens on the Sydney Trains network.

“At present there are 120 trains per hour to the city at peak times and, with the new Metro, there will be 200 trains during peak which is a tremendous improvement.

“It will take pressure off our roads … It is the Premier’s vision to build the Metro when she was the transport minister.

“Sydney Metro is Australia’s first fully accessible railway which will deliver fast, safe and reliable travel.

“The Metro line is currently being extended from Chatswood to Bankstown and by 2024 Sydney will have 31 metro stations and a 66km stand-alone metro railway.”

Rodd Staples and his family Anna, Thomas, Rodd, Maree and Jake at Castle Hill station. Picture: Transport for NSW

Mr Staples, who was accompanied by his family for the first official ride, said it was satisfying to see the project completed.

“I am very, very satisfied and really excited about the Metro starting,” Mr Staples said.

“More than 10,000 people worked on various jobs (since it began in 2011).

“It will make a very big difference for people.

“We will also work on the on demand buses at some locations in the future … these are proving popular.”

Sydney Metro CEO John Lamonte was among those who enjoyed the ride, saying work has already started on the Sydenham to Bankstown line.

Bruce Cleaver, who was the project manager for the Epping to Chatswood project, joined the journey.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks to Bruce Cleaver, project manager of the Epping to Chatswood project, and his family, at Kellyville station. Picture: Lawrence Machado

NSW Business Chamber policy, advocacy and influence director Chris Lamont said it was a transformative project for Sydney “and we will see these communities connected like never before”.

“The true mark of a progressive global city is a reliable and world-class public transport system and the northwest Metro is a key component that will advance the quality of public transport in Sydney,” he said.

“This is the beginning of a revolutionary way to move large numbers of people around the city and conveniently link them to employment and educational hubs.”

CHECK OUT THIS COOL VIDEO OF THE METRO: https://on.frame.io/Kr08jleh

STATIONS

• Tallawong

• Rouse Hill

• Kellyville

• Bella Vista

• Hills Showground

• Castle Hill

• Cherrybrook

Australia's first ever driverless metro passenger train.

QUICK FACTS

• The 36km Metro northwest line is between Tallawong and Chatswood.

• There will be 4000 car spaces in the network

• There has been more than 180,000km of testing complete — a trip around the Earth at the equator is 40,000km.

• Platform screen doors keeps people and objects like prams away from the tracks and allows trains to get in and out of stations much faster.

• Sydney Metro is Australia’s first fully accessible railway — this means lifts at all stations and level access between platforms and trains.

• There’s no more stepping into a train over a large gap.

• There will be a late night turn up and go bus service will operate in the northwest on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights after about 9.30pm over the next six months.

• More than 1500 additional weekly busy services have been added to the timetable and changes to some existing routes will be introduced to include stops at local Metro stations and support growing residential areas.