Sydney’s first metro train is on the track and undergoing testing ahead of Sydney Metro services starting next year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state-of-the-art train is currently at Sydney Metro HQ at Rouse Hill where its first tests are taking place.
“These new trains will see rail capacity boosted by up to 60 per cent,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Metro rail services start in the booming North West region in the first half of next year, where customers will have a train every four minutes in the peak in each direction.
“Sydney Metro will be extended under Sydney Harbour, into the CBD and beyond to Bankstown in 2024. All up, 31 Sydney Metro stations and 66km of new metro rail.”
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the first of 22 metro trains was delivered last year, and testing is currently being done on commissioning systems including brakes, passenger information displays, lighting and door operation.
The train has now taken to the test track for the first time to test acceleration, braking and operation at different speeds.
“This is a major milestone for Sydney Metro – before long, Sydneysiders will not know how they ever lived without this world-class metro system,” Mr Constance said.
The train testing will progressively expand to Cudgegong Road Station and on to the skytrain before eventually running through the new twin 15km tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping.
“Safety is Sydney Metro’s number one priority and the testing is being done in close consultation with the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator,” Mr Constance said.
Sydney Metro will be able to move more than 40,000 people an hour in each direction. Suburban Sydney rail lines can each reliably move about 23,000 people an hour.