Sydney Metro's final 13km stage opens Friday with rising demand forecast
Sydney Metro's Bankstown to Sydenham line opens Friday with passenger forecasts 34% higher than the legacy heavy rail service it replaces.
The final 13-kilometre stage of Sydney's $30 billion M1 metro line opens early Friday, completing the driverless network from Tallawong to Bankstown. Passenger forecasts for the morning peak (8am-9am) have been lifted to 9500 commuters, up 34% from previous weekday usage on the old T3 heavy rail line that closed in September 2024.
Dulwich Hill station alone is now expected to handle 1000 morning peak passengers, up 300 from earlier forecasts, driven largely by new residential development along the corridor. Hurlstone Park, Canterbury and Belmore stations each saw increases of 200 passengers in the peak hour, while Bankstown and Campsie dropped slightly due to reduced parking availability.
Sydney Metro expects a 13% overall surge across the entire M1 line to 300,000 weekday passenger trips once the southwest section opens. The modelling reflects confidence in the metro's reliability, frequency and safety compared to older services, which officials say are the main factors that draw commuters.
- 13 kilometres
- Final stage distance
- 30 billion dollars
- Total M1 project cost
- 34 percent above T3 line usage
- Peak hour growth forecast
- 300,000 weekday passenger trips
- Expected weekly trips
Why it mattersFaster, more frequent services are expected to shift car commuters to rail, easing congestion and emissions across southwest Sydney.
AustraliaSydney commuters and residents from Bankstown, Dulwich Hill, Marrickville and surrounding areas will have access to a complete, high-frequency metro network to the city centre.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
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