T3 Bankstown line commuters face more than a year on buses as track is converted for Metro

The last train on the T3 Bankstown line made its final journey just after midnight on Monday morning, with Sydneysiders along the line preparing for more than a year of bus services as the track is converted for Metro.

The last train on the T3 Bankstown line made its final journey just after midnight on Monday morning, with Sydneysiders along the line preparing for more than a year of bus services as the track is converted for Metro.

The Minns government has warned residents they will face a difficult year, with train replacement buses taking more than 20 minutes longer than the old train service.

The closure has finally happened after many hurdles including industrial action from train drivers and a shortage of bus drivers.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen warned commuters they face a difficult year.

“We do acknowledge that this is going to be a really difficult period for these communities,” she said.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen pictured with Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins, Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland and Sydney Metro Acting Chief Executive Josh Watkin at Dulwich Hill Train Station ahead of the T3 Bankstown line closure beginning from Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“A 12 month plus period of inconvenience and difficulty as they find other ways to move around.

“We know on Monday morning there will be people who are surprised and we apologise to them in advance … but in the end it will be worth it.”

New buses are in place between Bankstown and Lidcombe, with new pink buses running every two to four minutes from Bankstown to Sydenham.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matthew Longland said from Monday trains along the T3 line from Liverpool would run through Regents Park to Lidcombe

“There will be a number of platform changes at St Peters and Erskineville as we move that line from the T3 across to the T8 line,” he said.

Train enthusiasts jumped aboard the last train to travel the Bankstown segment of the T3 line, departing Circular Quay after midnight. The line was first opened in 1895 and electrified in 1926.

The shut down comes after weeks of uncertainty after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union threatened to hamper the conversion to Metro by refusing to hand over the rail line until their demands were met.

The Minns government settled the issue by agreeing to have driver-qualified staff on every new Metro train, despite being driverless, with staff also on every platform.

The RTBU had argued that it is not opposed to the Metro itself, but has “serious safety concerns” about converting the old heavy rail track.

Signaige pictured at Dulwich Hill Train Station ahead of the T3 Bankstown line closure beginning from Monday 30 September. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Those concerns centre around the southwest Metro running on a converted rail line rather than in specialised tunnels.

When completed, the $3.6 billion Metro conversion will get passengers from Bankstown to Central in 28 minutes, Hurlstone Park to Macquarie University in 40 minutes, and Campsie to Victoria Cross in 27 minutes.

There were also concerns the government would not have enough bus drivers for the number of rail replacement buses needed, causing the government to recruit over 200 new bus drivers in a mass recruitment drive.

“Monday marks the end of an era,” Ms Haylen said.

“We know that many people will be sad tonight, jumping on board the last train.

“They will give her a fantastic farewell.”

Originally published as T3 Bankstown line commuters face more than a year on buses as track is converted for Metro