Sydney Metro West: A new railway, more trains for Western Sydney

A new underground metro railway for Western Sydney will be the State’s next major public transport project – securing the long-term future of the region and of Australia’s global city.

Sydney Metro West will provide a direct connection between the CBDs of Parramatta and Sydney, serving growing communities along the route and a booming region for generations to come.

Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the successful lease of Ausgrid and strong budget had given the government the ability to bring forward planning for the project.

“Sydney is experiencing an unrivalled public transport building boom,” Mr Baird said.

“A metro line in Western Sydney will effectively double rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming the way we get around our city forever.

“This is the first step – we’ve identified the need for this project, we’re committing the Government to delivering it and today we begin the work to bring metro rail to Western Sydney.”

The NSW Government will work with the community and industry to deliver the project, including new railway stations at:

• Parramatta, where the number of jobs is expected to double over the next 20 years to 100,000;
• Sydney Olympic Park, where 34,000 jobs and more than 23,000 residents will be located by 2030;
• The Bays Precinct, Sydney’s new innovation hub where 95 hectares of land is being regenerated;
• Sydney CBD, allowing easy access to the existing public transport network and Stages 1 and 2 of Sydney Metro, which is currently under construction.

Mr Constance said Sydney Metro West would complement the existing T1 Western Line, which is quickly reaching capacity.

“We are already delivering Stages 1 and 2 of Sydney Metro – 66 kilometres of new metro rail opening from 2019 that will change the face of the north west and take pressure off Town Hall and Wynyard in the CBD, with a new crossing of Sydney Harbour and metro to Bankstown,” Mr Constance said.

“Customers won’t need a timetable on this 21st century turn up and go metro system, which will deliver new capacity and more services for generations to come.

“This new rail line will be able to move about 40,000 people an hour in each direction, delivering a massive boost to public transport.

“It will also mean faster and more frequent services will be able to be delivered on the Sydney Trains network from other major centres like Penrith and Blacktown.”

The project is expected to be built largely underground and be operational in the second half of the 2020s.

The NSW Government will investigate innovative ways to reduce travel times between the two CBDs as well as the final number of stations needed to service communities along the route. Other potential stations along the route will be determined through consultation with industry and the community.

The development of Sydney Metro West will use a market-led approach to deliver value for money for taxpayers. The final cost of the project will be determined following engagement with industry and the development of a business case.

Sydney Metro West will integrate with long-term transport planning for Western Sydney including Parramatta Light Rail, the rail needs currently being investigated for the future Western Sydney Airport and the Western Sydney Rail Upgrade Program targeting capacity on the T1 Western Line.