Sydney Metro City & Southwest is one of the world’s most pioneering engineering projects.
New fast, easy and reliable metro rail services started in May 2019 in Sydney’s North West and extended to Sydenham in August 2024 as part of the City & Southwest project.
The City & Southwest project extended the Sydney Metro Northwest Line by 15.5 kilometres and involved automating the existing line with Communications-based Train Control (CBTC) and Grade of Automation 4 (GoA 4) – which means the trains can run without any staff on board.
Sydney Metro City extends from Chatswood on the North Shore through new stations at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal and Waterloo, with new platforms at Central and Sydenham stations making travel easier for passengers.
The extended line opened in August 2024 and recently celebrated a record-breaking first year, racking up more than 66.8 million journeys.
The remaining portion of the converted Bankstown Line between Sydenham and Bankstown will open in 2026.
As the integrator of the new line, MTR Australia collaborated with all the different interfaces across the project to help deliver the new railway as one team.
MTR Australia is very proud of the role it played in the successful completion of Sydney Metro City and is now hard at work on the next phase of the project.
On a recent trip to Sydney, we caught up with some of the MTR Australia team to find out more.
A once-in-a-lifetime project
Paul Gill, General Manager of Trains, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (TSOM) at MTR Australia for Sydney Metro City & Southwest, said he’s very proud of what the company has achieved on the project so far.
“We’re very fortunate to have worked on Sydney Metro City & Southwest, and have achieved some fantastic outcomes,” he said.
“We achieved something that’s never been done before in automating an existing railway with CBTC and GoA4 railway technology.”
Gill’s large team covers all aspects of the rail systems that they deliver for MTR, while also integrating them with the other services that are provided by civil contractors, such as the stations, track, overhead line and tunnel.
“That has to be brought together as one complete system and we have a lot of responsibility in making that happen and making it work,” he explained.
“I try to create an environment so my team can deliver the design and products and test and commission those assets.
“I find ways to deliver outcomes we can be proud of – a fully integrated system that is safe and reliable.”
He said MTR has been proactive and innovative in finding solutions.
“We got this amazing project up and running, very successfully and reliably.”
Gill has enjoyed seeing members of the community using the M1 metro line.
“It’s incredible to see how many people are using the railway that we’ve built together as a team to go to work, to go to school, and to really change the way that they manoeuvre and carry out their day-to-day business in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs,” he said.
“That, for me, was the most inspiring part of this project.”
When asked what stands out when he thinks about MTR Australia’s values, Gill said it’s all about trust.
“There’s a lot of trust that you have to put into the people, the technology, the solutions,” he said.
“These aren’t run-of-the-mill projects, these are iconic, and once-in-a-lifetime.
“We trust in each other and we trust in our work to deliver the right outputs.”
Looking to the future, Gill said he’s excited about the potential in Sydney and beyond.
“I think we’re very well placed to expand our capabilities on other metro projects in the future, as well as other rail systems like high-speed rail.
“We’ve got a great team that has a strong success rate, and we’ve set the bar very high.”
A great place to work
Evan Koltsis, a project engineer with MTR Australia, said he’s grateful to have had plenty of opportunities to grow professionally in his role.
“I’ve been able to work in a variety of teams, not just contributing but leading,” he said. “I’ve been able to develop leadership skills and build relationships in the industry, which has been great for my career.”
He added that the company has a fantastic culture, where everyone is treated with respect.
“The people I work with are great to deal with and very approachable,” he said. “We’re like a work family.
“I think this is so important when delivering a project at the scale of Sydney Metro City & Southwest – not just for the success of the project, but for your own health and wellbeing.”
He said safety is a top priority for MTR Australia, from general site inspections to pre-starts.
“We all feel safe and comfortable working here and look out for one another. It’s a great place to work.”
Making an impact
Carmela Pelaez is a senior project engineer within the MTR construction team, working on the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.
After successful delivery of the City section, Pelaez and her team are now working on the Sydenham to Bankstown line.
“Day to day, we’re co-ordinating and ensuring things are installed to program,” she said.
“We’re interfacing with other contractors and making sure everything runs smoothly.”
She said working on the project has challenged her in new ways.
“The job has a lot of different stakeholders involved, and we’re dealing with many different interfaces. Communication is so important and knowing the right person to speak to.”
Pelaez enjoys her fast-paced role and said MTR takes great pride in the quality of its work and its culture of collaboration.
“I love working with our team, our client and our interfaces,” she said.
“There are a lot of smart people around, all willing to get the job done.
“My colleagues clearly care a lot about the work they are doing, and everyone is willing to help out.”
She said the diverse team all bring something different to the table.
“We all have different experiences and viewpoints, and we come together to think of new solutions. Our managers are also very supportive.”
She said MTR’s international experience, especially its success in Hong Kong, gives it an advantage in Australia.
“We have a unique niche,” she said. “It’s great to see how we’ve taken our international learnings and applied them to the metro project.”
As someone who has lived in Sydney all her life, Pelaez is delighted to be involved in a project that’s having such a positive impact on the city.
“It’s a major public transport transformation,” she said. “I love working on projects that are giving back to the community.
“Helping to deliver the City section of the Metro from Chatswood to Sydenham was
a huge career highlight for me. My friends have all been raving about how great it is – it’s clear the difference it has made to the lives of people in Sydney.”
Excitement for the future
Evangeline Pablo, Senior Commercial Manager at MTR Australia, had a hand in administering the contract for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.
“I was happy to be able to contribute to the project in a way that benefits end users and the wider community,” she said. As a working mother, Pablo is grateful that MTR gives her flexibility in her role.
“I feel valued, not based on the time I spend in the office, but the quality and value of the work I produce,” she said.
“MTR gives you opportunities to grow as an individual and in your career while maintaining a work/life balance.
“I’m motivated to go to work, foreshadowing that one day I will be able to proudly tell my grandchildren about being part of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.”
Pablo said she is excited about MTR’s future in Australia.
“The company has demonstrated its capabilities globally, and I’m excited to see the organisation showcasing more of its expertise to deliver and maintain an efficient, effective, timely, and convenient way for the community in Sydney to travel – through an advanced and innovative railway system.”
