The closure of the New South Wales T3 Bankstown line between Sydenham and Bankstown has begun to convert the line to Metro.
When the conversion is complete, passengers will have access to high-tech metro line with a train every four minutes during the peak, along with fully accessible stations and services.
This final section of the metro line will eventually be known as the M1 Northwest and Bankstown Line, completing the transformative 30-kilometre alignment between Bankstown and Tallawong.
During this time, travel will be free for all passengers on the dedicated pink buses connecting Sydenham and Bankstown, known as the Southwest Link.
SW1 (all stops) – Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown.
SW2 (limited stops) – Sydenham, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown.
SW3 (limited stops) – Sydenham, Canterbury, Campsie.
Fare-free travel began on Monday September 30 and will continue for the entire conversion period until the projected completion in late 2025.
Work to bring the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown train line into operation in time for the closure was delayed due to now-lifted protected industrial action.
Transport planners are working through the logistics to get the T6 online as soon as possible, and will share further details when available.
Once open, the T6 will give passengers more travel options by connecting Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona, Birrong, Regents Park and Berala.
In the interim, while preparatory trackwork is underway, additional fare-free buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown.
These will be known as the 8T3 All Stops and 8AT3 Express (direct between Bankstown and Lidcombe).
The rest of the T3 line will still be open between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park and Lidcombe, currently there are stations on the T3 that only receive four trains an hour in the peak.
Jo Haylen Minister for Transport encourages passengers to check online for schedules.
“We recognise there is a lot of complicated information to digest, so I’d encourage people to head to transportnsw.info, or chat to the Transport staff in pink shirts at their local station,” she said.
“It’s only fair that we don’t charge you a fare for this disruptive duration, so remember you don’t have to tap your Opal card or device when you get on.
“I want to continue to be very upfront with people – transforming this 130-year-old line for modern metro trains is a complex and difficult task, meaning it could take longer than 12 months.
“It will be worth the wait, as the 6.3 million passengers who’ve used City Metro since it opened can attest. I’m pleased we’re able to move ahead with giving these communities the same benefits.”