"Commuters now welcomed aboard Sydney Metro's new underground line"

Sydney Metro has opened a new underground line, providing commuters with a faster, more efficient travel option through the city. This addition enhances connectivity and offers a modern, seamless experience for daily travelers, contributing to the overall improvement of public transportation in Sydney. The new line is a significant milestone in the city's efforts to upgrade its transport infrastructure.

The eagerly awaited Chatswood to Sydenham extension is set to significantly reduce travel times in Sydney.

Tens of thousands of commuters began using Sydney Metro’s new city section on Monday morning, marking the opening of the first train line beneath the city center in over 40 years.

The inaugural metro train on this new route departed Sydenham at 4:54 AM, traveling under Sydney Harbour and reaching Chatswood station by 5:16 AM before continuing to Tallawong on the north-west line, originally opened in 2019.

In the opposite direction, the first train from Tallawong passing Chatswood arrived at the newly constructed Crows Nest station at 5:20 AM. Trains were crowded during the morning rush, with standing room only as they carried passengers into the city.

Train enthusiasts, eager to experience the new line, arrived early at stations on Monday to be among the first to ride. Later in the morning, platforms filled with excited Sydneysiders. At Central station, passengers from other lines took detours to visit the Metro platforms, riding the longest escalators in the southern hemisphere and capturing photos and videos of the arriving trains.

New South Wales transport minister Jo Haylen was also aboard the first public service from Sydenham station.

School friends Vishnu Sivamogga and Ernic Stopic, self-proclaimed "transport enthusiasts," made last-minute plans to wake up early for the 4:54 AM train. By 7:45 AM, the 18-year-olds had visited every station on the newly opened line.

“We’ve reviewed every escalator, every station, reviewing all the aesthetics,” said Sivamogga, from Jannali. The pair favored Martin Place station but found the Gadigal station the most artistic and unique. Stopic, from Marrickville, also praised the escalators at Victoria Cross station.

They were joined by Henry Phyo, also 18, and other friends who inspected every station, gathering excitedly on the platforms of Waterloo, wearing pins distributed by Metro staff to commemorate the opening day. Phyo, from Picnic Point, declared Crows Nest his favorite station, noting its intriguing brickwork patterns.

“Boys, let’s get a selfie,” the group shouted as they huddled on the platform, reviewing photos taken across various stations.

Mark, another passenger from Wolli Creek, caught the train to Sydenham on Monday morning. He can now stay on one metro service to reach his workplace in Macquarie Park on Sydney’s north shore, cutting his commute by about 15 minutes. “It’s convenient for me in particular,” he said, adding, “I guess we’ll see what the speeds are like.”

According to Guardian Australia, the initial services ran smoothly early on the opening day, ahead of the first major test during Monday’s morning peak.

The city extension of the driverless metro line had been highly anticipated, originally scheduled to open on August 4th. However, the opening was delayed after final safety approvals were not obtained, reportedly due to a firefighter receiving an electric shock during safety drills.

Last Thursday, the NSW government announced the new opening date as Monday after the rail safety regulator granted final approvals.

Work on the Chatswood to Sydenham section began in 2017, with a significant tunnel boring project under Sydney Harbour creating the new rail line beneath the ocean floor.

The 15.5 km new section includes five new stations – Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Gadigal, and Waterloo – as well as new platforms and entrances at Martin Place and Central stations.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: theguardian‍