With the Sydney Metro City line now open, the T3 Bankstown line is up next for improvement works.
Closure of the line will commence from 30 September and when the conversion is complete, passengers will have access to a 21st century high-tech metro line with a train every four minutes during the peak, along with fully accessible stations and services.
The New South Wales Government is also announcing the travel on replacement bus services, known as Southwest Link, will be free for all passengers.
The State Government has also acknowledged that the conversion period will be difficult and disruptive for many passengers and thanked the community for their patience as crews work as quickly as possible to convert the line to a transformative metro.
Fare free travel on Southwest Link buses will begin on day one and continue for the entire conversion period, until the estimated completion date of late 2025.
The program of works to transform the 130-year-old line, between Sydenham and Bankstown, for modern metro trains is a complex and difficult task, meaning it could take longer than 12 months to complete.
Major work includes:
- Installing platform screen doors at all stations between Marrickville and Bankstown
- Installing the remaining 81 (of 170) gap filler between platforms and trains across eight stations
- Refurbishing station buildings and platform surfaces
- Installing new security barriers at 81 locations along the alignment
- Removing and replacing fencing
- Final platform works including installation of signage
- Final adjustments to overhead wiring and tracks to metro standards
- Station services and systems installations such as help points, CCTV cameras and passenger information displays
- Public domain finishes including landscaping, footpath rectification works, bike parking and new lighting
- Heavy vehicle management bollard installation for station security at station entrances
- Finishing works at stations including painting and repairs to refresh stations
- Rigorous testing and commissioning of the metro trains and station equipment
Southwest Link is a key part of the interim transport plan to help the tens of thousands of impacted commuters move around during this disruptive time.
All bus driver positions have been filled to support the 100 buses that will run from early in the morning to late at night seven days a week. The timetable aims for a service every two to four minutes in the peak.
Fare free travel will apply on the three dedicated bus routes known as SW1 (all stops), SW2 (limited stops) and SW3 (limited stops), which passengers will be able to catch from their local station:
- SW1 – Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown
- SW2 – Sydenham, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown
- SW3 – Sydenham, Canterbury, Campsie
The T6 train line will also become available at the same time as Southwest Link, to support passengers during the conversion. However, preparatory works will begin on 21 September, meaning part of the line between Campsie and Bankstown will be shut from then. The T6 will connect Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona, Birrong, Regents Park and Berala.
Once complete, this final section of the metro line will eventually be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line, completing the 30km alignment between Bankstown and Tallawong.
New South Wales Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, acknowledged that this is going to be a disruptive time for the people of Canterbury Bankstown and for the Inner West but that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“When this section of the metro is complete, they will get a train every four minutes,” Minister Haylen said.
“That’s a massive increase in train services, because right now there are stations on the T3 Line that only receive four trains an hour in the peak.
“The fair thing to do is not charge a fare on our dedicated Southwest Link bus services because this will be a really tough time for passengers in Canterbury Bankstown and the Inner West.”
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General, Howard Collins, said that the pink Southwest Link buses will be easily recognisable services with plenty of signage and that ‘pink shirt’ staff will be on the ground to help people get on the right, fare-free service.
“We expect the free Southwest Link services will be in high demand, while our bus marshals will work very hard to assist with a smooth service, we do anticipate there will be some delays and longer wait times,” Mr Collins said.
“Metro needs to install mechanical gap filler, improve and heighten pedestrian fences around 15 bridges, install platform screen doors and security fencing along the entire line, and then test and commission a new railway, all on an existing corridor that’s 130 years old.”
Metro Southwest Project Director, Alia Karaman, said that the disruption on the Bankstown line will be difficult, but when the work is complete, southwest Sydney will be connected to the CBD like never before.
“What we’re seeing now with Metro from Sydenham is five-minute journeys into Central Station and a train every four minutes. With the Metro conversion, those benefits will be shared along the line to Bankstown,” Ms Karaman said.
“A train every four minutes in the peak so you’re not waiting on the platform, fast travel times so you get where you want to go sooner and safe, gap-free boarding. That’s what passengers have to look forward to when this challenging and disruptive work is complete.”
Image: Holli/shutterstock.com
