Sydney Metro has started testing trains on the newly converted Southwest Metro line at speeds up to 100 kilometres an hour, a major increase from the previous 25 kilometre an hour limit.
High-speed testing began on the Sydenham to Bankstown extension of the M1 Line on Monday November 10.
Since the rigorous testing program began in April, a single train has already completed more than 700 hours of testing and travelled 3000 kilometres on the southwest section that will extend the M1 line beyond Sydenham to Bankstown next year.
This new testing phase will see an additional train join the testing fleet to complete a minimum of 9000 hours of testing and validation of 70 key integration tests, to accelerate the process.
This will be followed by a series of safety, operational and performance scenarios.
“The testing and commissioning process is a crucial step in ensuring the complex conversion of the centuries-old former T3 Bankstown line meets strict safety and performance standards before passenger operations commence,” Sydney Metro said in a press release.
During the current testing phase, ride comfort, braking, systems and communications will be reviewed closely.
Testing will also take place while a train is ‘loaded’ with containers of water to simulate full passenger loads.
As part of the final conversion, crews will complete work to integrate the Southwest Metro with the existing metro line. This will require up to six full and partial line closures of the M1 Line until the end of the year, to allow for work to safely take place within the rail corridor.
Metro services will not run on the line on the weekend of 22–23 November, to continue the CBTC testing and migration process across the full line, including running trains between Tallawong and Bankstown to test system functionality.
Metro services will also be paused from 27–30 December, to complete the CBTC migration process and run additional system function tests on trains operating between Tallawong and Bankstown.
During closure periods, passengers will have access to replacement buses between Tallawong and Chatswood, and Sydney Trains services between Chatswood and Sydenham.
Partial line closures will take place on the following weekends:
- 15-16 November: Metro services will run between Tallawong and Central only. Use Sydney Trains services between Central and Sydenham during these times.
- 6-7 December: Metro services will run between Tallawong and Chatswood only. Use Sydney Trains services between Chatswood and Sydenham during these times.
And on the following dates, from 10pm nightly:
- 8-10 December, 15-17 December: Metro services will run between Tallawong and Central only. Use Sydney Trains services between Central and Sydenham during these times.
Metro passengers will be notified of these changes through transport apps, travel alerts, station signage and announcements.
Once complete, the Southwest Metro will deliver turn-up-and-go services every four minutes, accessible stations, and improved travel times.
In 2026, the M1 Line will span 66 kilometres from Sydney’s northwest, through the CBD and out to Bankstown, serving 31 stations.
