Southwest Metro testing enters next stage
31.03.2026
Southwest Metro’s rigorous on-track testing program has entered a new phase as fast, frequent and reliable metro services progress towards opening between Sydenham and Bankstown later this year. For the first time, individual components of the railway are now being trialled together as a unified system.
With standalone systems already verified, testing is now focused on ensuring trains, signalling, platform screen doors, mechanical gap fillers and station systems operate together seamlessly to deliver safe, turn-up-and-go services from day one.
This stage of testing will validate complex operational sequences, including the precise and simultaneous opening of train doors, platform screen doors and gap filler technology at every station, as the railway prepares for passenger services.
The milestone follows the successful completion of more than 3,600 kilometres of loaded train testing, using 115,500 litres of water to simulate a full passenger load of 1,540 customers.
More than 216 checks will be undertaken during this latest phase, which will continue over the coming months.
Since testing at higher speeds began on 10 November 2025, more than 2,500 of the required 9,000 testing hours have been completed with the train travelling up to the maximum line speed of 100km/h, along with around 17,000 of the required 30,000 kilometres of testing.
As previously announced, integrating the Bankstown extension with the existing M1 line requires a series of closures and this includes a full line closure over the upcoming Easter long weekend.
While highly disruptive, the work completed during closure periods is essential to opening the final section of the M1 line. Sydney Metro would like to thank passengers and the southwest community for their ongoing patience as the project progresses.
When services begin between Bankstown and Sydenham in the second half of the year, trains will run every four minutes in the peak with metro services expected to move around 18,000 passengers an hour in the morning peak between Bankstown and Central.
Fast Southwest Metro travel times:
- Marrickville to Gadigal: 12 minutes - saving 12 minutes
- Bankstown to Central: 28 minutes - saving 6 minutes
- Campsie to Macquarie University: 44 minutes – saving 17 minutes
- Lakemba to Victoria Cross: 37 minutes – saving 24 minutes