Sydney’s Southwest Metro project has entered a new stage of testing, with approval granted for trains to run at speeds of up to 100 km/h on the newly converted line between Sydenham and Bankstown. The milestone marks a major step toward the opening of the extended M1 Line in 2026.
High-speed testing will begin on Monday, 10 November 2025, increasing from the previous limit of 25 km/h. Since testing began in April, a single train has completed more than 700 hours of testing and travelled 3,000 kilometres on the new metro section.
To accelerate the programme, a second train will now join the test fleet, completing a minimum of 9,000 hours of trials across 70 key integration tests, followed by a sequence of safety, operational, and performance scenarios.
Critical testing before passenger service
The testing and commissioning programme is a vital step to ensure the complex conversion of the former T3 Bankstown Line meets strict safety and performance standards before entering passenger service.
During this next phase, engineers will closely monitor ride comfort, braking, systems performance, and communications. Tests will also simulate full passenger loads using water-filled containers to assess performance under real-world conditions.
As part of the final conversion works, crews will integrate the Southwest Metro with the existing metro system. This will require up to six full or partial line closures on the M1 Line through the end of 2025.
Planned closures and service impacts
While disruptive, the closures are essential to allow work to safely proceed within the rail corridor. Metro passengers will be kept informed via transport apps, alerts, and station announcements.
Full line closures:
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22–23 November: To continue CBTC testing and migration, including running trains between Tallawong and Bankstown to verify system functionality.
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27–30 December: To complete CBTC migration and conduct additional system tests across the full line.
During these weekends, replacement buses will operate between Tallawong and Chatswood, with Sydney Trains services available between Chatswood and Sydenham.
Partial line closures:
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15–16 November: Metro trains will run between Tallawong and Central only.
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6–7 December: Metro trains will run between Tallawong and Chatswood only.
Night closures (from 10 pm):
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8–10 December and 15–17 December: Metro services will operate between Tallawong and Central only.
Travellers are advised to plan ahead by checking transportnsw.info or using real-time travel apps.
Transforming public transport across Sydney
Once complete, the Southwest Metro will deliver turn-up-and-go services every four minutes, fully accessible stations, and shorter journey times across Sydney’s growing metro network.
Travel times will include:
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Bankstown–Central: 28 minutes
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Marrickville–Macquarie University: 36 minutes
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Dulwich Hill–Victoria Cross: 21 minutes
When the extension opens in 2026, the M1 Line will stretch 66 kilometres from Sydney’s northwest through the CBD to Bankstown, serving 31 stations.
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