The first services on Sydney’s Metro City line launched early this morning, marking a historic moment for the city’s public transport network.
The new metro section, spanning from Chatswood to Sydenham, began operating just before 5am after a brief delay in its initial opening date.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Crowds gathered at the newly opened stations to catch the service, expressing their excitement about the accessibility and speed of the new line.
“It’s a huge game-changer, especially for those needing wheelchair-accessible transport,” one commuter said.
NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen described the opening as the biggest change to Sydney’s transit system since the Harbour Bridge.
“Thousands of people got onboard this morning. It’s been an incredible day for our city and means that more people will be able to choose public transport more often,” Ms Haylen said. She noted that today was a historic day for the city, and it was great to see many Sydneysiders onboard this morning.
The line will continue to expand, with the next phase, extending from Sydenham to Bankstown, expected to be completed by 2025.
Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that while commuters might notice ongoing construction near some station entrances, the metro service itself remains unaffected.
“I think it’s really important to say that the previous government really put their shoulder to the wheel on this project; they committed a lot of time and effort,” he said.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news and deep dives on topics affecting you, all in under 20 minutes.