The new section of the Sydney Metro train line, running from Chatswood through the city centre to Sydenham, will open on Monday after it gained final safety approvals from the regulator.
It had been scheduled to open on Sunday 4 August, but this was postponed after final safety approvals were not received in the days leading up to its opening, amid reports a firefighter conducting safety drills received an electric shock that raised authorities’ alarm.
However, on Thursday afternoon, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) said the Sydney Metro City section had gained final approvals.
“ONRSR has completed its assessment of the evidence in support of the operational safety case for Sydney Metro City Section and granted the necessary approvals,” a statement said.
“A commencement date for passenger services is a matter for the NSW Government via its relevant agencies.”
The New South Wales transport minister, Jo Haylen, confirmed the line would open on Monday.
“It’s been a long journey to launch Sydney Metro City services,” Haylen said. “But it will be worth the wait. I want to thank everyone for their patience as Australia’s biggest public transport project becomes a reality.”
The 16km section of track includes six new underground stations and new platforms at Central, which feature the longest escalators in the southern hemisphere.
Construction on the section began in 2017 and involved drilling a new tunnel under the ocean floor beneath Sydney Harbour.
The section from Chatswood to Sydenham is the city’s second taste of metro technology. Since 2019, the Metro Northwest has run from Tallawong to Chatswood on a line that included above-ground sections and a Chatswood to Epping underground stretch converted to metro.
