Commuters left in dark as Sydney Metro train grinds to halt at Barangaroo during peak hour

Thousands of peak-hour commuters have been impacted after a massive mechanical fault in the city’s new $41 billion public transport network.

Commuters on board a Sydney Metro train were left stuck in the dark after a mechanical fault left the service stranded at Barangaroo Station during Tuesday’s peak hour.

The incident occurred just after 4pm when a fault with the train’s pantograph — the apparatus that connects the train to overhead power lines — forced it to a halt just outside the city’s newest and flashiest station, which is part of the city’s $41 billion Metro project.

The lights flickered. The doors stayed shut. And for over 15 minutes, the train didn’t budge.

“Lights dimmed before we got to the station,” one passenger posted on social media.

“Doors opened fine, then after they closed we’ve been unable to move … Eleven minutes and counting. Person on PA says mechanical issue.”

Staff were eventually forced to manually prise open the doors to let passengers disembark.

A technical issue at Sydney Metro this evening has caused a shutdown of the line between Barangaroo and Sydenham. Picture: Supplied.

It was peak hour chaos in Sydney's CBD.

“Metro staff are now manually trying to open the doors to let us out,” the passenger added, before confirming the train was still stationary even after the evacuation.

The fault had flow-on effects across the network.

The fault had flow-on effects across the network. Picture: Supplied.

A Sydney Metro spokesman confirmed a “very limited service” was operating between Sydenham and Barangaroo, with additional delays on services running from Barangaroo to Tallawong.

“Announcements are being made onboard and on platforms,” they said. “A technician is now on site to resolve the issue and move the train.”

Commuters were advised to check transport apps and consider alternative arrangements.