The Sydney Metro has been proven to be transformative, delivering local commuters fast, modern and reliable public transport. Since the City extension opened in August 2024, more than 40 million trips have been taken. However the Metro’s success and popularity has resulted in overcrowding during peak hours, particularly at stations such as Crows Nest.
Member for Willoughby Tim James is calling on the NSW Government to act now by commencing the procurement of additional Metro trains to boost capacity and meet growing demand.
“During peak hour, commuters at Crows Nest are regularly forced to wait for multiple trains before being able to board. Average weekday loadings during the morning peak at Crows Nest are 90% – the busiest on the line,” Mr James said. “This is a direct result of the Metro’s success and the continued unreliability of the T1 North Shore Line. Commuters are voting with their feet and it’s unsurprising they are shifting to a modern and reliable rail service.”
“The Metro was future-proofed by the former Liberal Government. It was built to scale up, with the capacity to double service frequency from every four minutes to every two as well as increase carriage numbers from six to eight per train. The time has now come to begin ramping up services.”
Mr James warned that with the NSW Labor Government pursuing higher housing density development around Metro stations, demand would only intensify.
“Building homes near transport is sensible but only if the infrastructure and services keep pace. The Government must act now, not years later when the system reaches breaking point.”
“Failure to act risks damaging the Metro’s outstanding reputation and further burdening our already stretched public transport system,”
“The Metro is truly game changing, city-shaping infrastructure and the kind of visionary, forward-thinking approach we need from government. I want as many as possible to be able to use it,” Mr James concluded.
The Sydney Metro is a transformative infrastructure investment of the former Liberal Government, with local stations at Chatswood and Crows Nest. It has slashed local commute times with a trip from Crows Nest to Martin Place now taking only 7 minutes. The Metro records on-time performance of around 99 per cent and consistently high commuter satisfaction. By 2026, the M1 Metro line will encompass 66km and 31 stations from Tallawong to Bankstown via the Sydney CBD.