Sydney Metro to open on Monday after receiving final tick of approval

A $21.6bn new public transport line has been granted the final tick of approval and will open to passengers from Monday after a series of delays.

Sydney’s new metro line will begin taking passengers from Monday after the National Rail Safety Regulator gave the project its final tick of approval.

The Chatswood to Sydenham line was scheduled to open on August 4 but the opening date was pushed back at the last moment due to the need for additional safety checks.

The Sydney Metro will open to passengers after the safety regulator gave the line it’s final approval. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Transport Minister Jo Haylen took to social media on Thursday afternoon to announce the opening of the Sydney Metro.

“I’ll see you on the train,” she wrote.

In a lighthearted nod to the project’s last minute delays, Ms Haylen said: “Yes, for real this time”.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board Sydney’s new railway – from Sydenham to Chatswood – from Monday 19 August.”

Transport Minister Jo Haylen took to social media to announce the opening. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The announcement came after the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator confirmed it had finally approved the $21.6bn line to begin operations.

“ONRSR has completed its assessment of the evidence in support of the operational safety case for Sydney Metro City Section and granted the necessary approvals,” a spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

“Commencement date for passenger services is a matter for the NSW government via its relevant agencies.”

After undertaking 200 checks, the line reportedly required an additional four before it could open to passengers.

A major outage along the North West metro last month, which left passengers stuck on trains underground for hours and industrial action taken by the Fire Brigade Employees Union over safety concerns have been blamed for line’s delays.

The new metro line is made up of six underground stations including Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street, Waterloo and new platforms at Central and Sydenham.

Originally published as Sydney Metro to open on Monday after receiving final tick of approval