A NSW Liberal Government will deliver a plan to increase peak-hour services on Sydney’s M1 Metro line from every four minutes to every three minutes, giving commuters more capacity and shorter waits. The plan would deliver 33 per cent more peak-hour services, increasing from 15 to 20 trains per hour in each direction, with capacity for an additional 5,760 passengers per hour in each direction.
Within its first 100 days, a NSW Liberal Government would commission a timetable and capacity review to identify opportunities for additional services and inform the procurement of additional Metro trains.
Member for Willoughby Tim James said the plan was a big win for Metro commuters in Chatswood and Crows Nest. “I’ve been calling for more Metros, more often, and our plan will deliver extra services making a great service even better,” Mr James said.
“Sydney Metro has been such a transformative Liberal investment that locals in Chatswood and Crows Nest have embraced because it has proven to be fast, reliable and frequent.”
“So many have voted with their feet that trains are often full by the time they reach Crows Nest. We built the Metro to run more often, and now’s the time to do it. Extra trains will mean more room on board, less time waiting, and will allow more to take advantage of this game-changing service.”
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the Liberals were focused on building the transport infrastructure Sydney needs to grow.
“Sydney Metro has changed the way people move around our city, and its popularity shows just how important it is to keep investing in better public transport,” Ms Sloane said.
“We want to build on that success by delivering more trains, more frequent services and better connections for the communities that rely on Metro every day.”
“Our plan for three-minute Metros would deliver 33 per cent more peak-hour services, giving commuters more capacity and less time waiting on platforms.”
Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Natalie Ward said the plan would build on the Liberal's record of delivering Sydney Metro. “We want to keep building and improving Sydney’s Metro network,” Ms Ward said.
The plan would pursue approximately 12 to 15 additional Metro trains, subject to detailed technical and operational assessments. Financing options would include examining opportunities through the existing public-private partnership, with any agreement subject to value-for-money testing.
Detailed costings and a delivery timetable would be finalised in government following operational assessments and commercial negotiations.