International consortium delivers latest stage of multibillion-dollar Sydney Metro project 

The driverless service extends from north of Sydney, under the harbour, to the inner west.

The New South Wales Government has opened the latest stage of its multibillion-dollar Sydney Metro rail project. Sydney Metro is Australia’s most technologically advanced railway, and its only fully accessible, driverless train service.

On 19 August 2024, an additional 15.5 kilometres of new metro rail was opened on the M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line. The line now extends from Sydney’s northwest, below Sydney Harbour and under the Sydney CBD, to Sydenham in Sydney’s inner west.

The extension includes 6 new underground stations and new metro platforms at Central Station and Sydenham Station. The expanded network connects Sydney’s employment, financial and retail districts and provides access to the Barangaroo harbourside precinct.

A total of 445 new metro services will run through the heart of the city each weekday, with capacity to move around 34,000 people every hour during peak periods.

The first stage of the M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line opened on 26 May 2019. The remaining 13 kilometres of the line will open after 10 existing stations on the T3 Bankstown Line are converted.

Project delivered by Australian and international investors

The project was delivered under a public-private partnership known as the Sydney Metro City & Southwest Operations, Trains and Systems 2 (OTS2) project.

The A$3.7 billion package comprised multiple contracts, including A$1.7 billion for new metro trains and core rail systems. It also includes a A$2 billion operations and maintenance component for Northwest Rapid Transit (NRT) to operate the combined North West and City and Southwest lines until 2034.

NRT is owned by 5 infrastructure investors in Australia and internationally. They are Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation, Japan’s Marubeni Corporation, Canada’s CDPQ, Pacific Partnerships and Plenary Group. Metro Trains Sydney (NRT’s operations and maintenance contractor) is a joint venture of MTR Corporation, John Holland and UGL Rail.

Since 2011, Marubeni has continued to develop its portfolio of PPP assets in Australia, which includes participation in Stages 1, 2 and 3 of a Light Rail PPP Project on the Gold Coast, Australia. MTR Corporation has been in Australia for over 10 years. In addition to the Sydney Metro, the company operates Metro Trains Melbourne, the city’s metropolitan service.

Australia’s biggest public transport project

Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project. It involves building, operating and maintaining a network of four metro lines, 46 stations and 113 kilometres of new metro rail.

The metro program includes the operational M1 Line and three projects under construction:

• Sydney Metro Southwest
• Sydney Metro West
• Western Sydney Airport

Sydney Metro has a strong focus on sustainability. The Sydney Metro Sustainability Report 2023 (PDF, 7MB) details the following achievements. The project:

• uses water from non-potable sources
• uses low-carbon concrete
• recycles or reuses construction and demolition waste
• finds new uses for salvaged materials, for example, using salvaged timber for new seating
• rehomes office furniture and fitouts
• drives supply chain best practice.

Find out more about Sydney Metro.

Transforming Australia’s infrastructure for a net zero future

Australia is investing in infrastructure to support its transformation to a net zero economy. There are opportunities for international companies to partner with Australian businesses to:

• invest in future transport, with a focus on decarbonisation
• develop an Australian renewable fuels industry.

Learn more about investment opportunities in future transport and low-carbon liquid fuels.