Sydney Metro’s Southwest extension opens over former suburban railway

AUSTRALIA: Passenger services began on Sydney Metro’s Southwest extension over a former suburban railway at 04.31 on October 30, ahead of opening celebrations planned for November 1.

The 13 km extension makes line M1 one of the longest fully automated metro lines in the world, running 66 km from Tallawong to Bankstown with 31 stations.

Sydney Metro said the conversion of the former T3 Bankstown Line suburban route between Sydenham and Bankstown will provide 50% more passenger capacity than the previous train service, and more direct connections destinations across Sydney.

Services will operate every 4 min during weekday peak periods, giving a capacity of 17 000 people/direction/h, and every 5 min during the day and every 10 min in the evenings and at weekends.

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