Driverless metro service confirmed for north south rail link

More than $2 billion worth of funding has been secured to create a driverless metro network between Western Sydney Airport and St Marys.

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The North South Rail Link between Western Sydney Aerotropolis and St Marys will be a turn-up-and-go driverless metro service.

Following the success of the Sydney Metro northwest network opening in May, the NSW Government revealed more than $2 billion worth of funding for the construction of the line had been secured as part of the 2019/20 budget.

The funding commitment comes as the NSW Government confirmed future driverless metro services will be built between Parramatta and Western Sydney Aerotropolis as an extension of the Sydney Metro west, as well as Bankstown to Liverpool as an extension of the Sydney Metro southwest, Tallawong Station at Rouse Hill to St Marys Station to link the Sydney Metro northwest to the North South Metro Link.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet handing down the state budget at NSW Parliament House on Tuesday, June 18. Picture: Dean Lewins

More than $2b worth of funding for the construction of the North South Pail Link line (similar to the picture above) has been secured as part of the 2019/20 budget. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The North South Rail link will also extend from Western Sydney Aerotropolis to Macarthur in a future metro service.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottett said construction for the project would start in 2021, “with an aim to deliver new rail and road that will make it easier for people to get to their homes and their families”.

The new metro line from St Marys to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis via Western Sydney International Airport will connect to the existing T1 Western train line at St Marys, and was previously announced as part of the Western Sydney City Deal.

“The railway line will connect passengers and employees to the new Western Sydney Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis,” Mr Perrottett said.

“The construction of the new rail link in Western Sydney will also help to reduce reliance on cars in the area.”

The NSW Budget confirmed the North South Metro Rail Link will have fully-automated driverless trains, like the rest of the Sydney Metro system, “with fast, frequent services”. “Customers will not need a timetable, they will just turn up and go,” he said.

“The Commonwealth and New South Wales governments have a shared objective of having the metro rail operational in 2026 when the Western Sydney Airport is scheduled to open.

Budget documents revealed funding for the project is subject to completion of the business case.

$42 million has already been spent on the reconstruction and planning of the project.

Delivery of North South Metro Rail Link was jointly committed by the New South Wales and Federal Governments through the Western Sydney City Deal.