Sydney Metro Southwest recorded 26,000 daily boardings in its first week, exceeding forecast figures as commuters switch to the new Bankstown link.
The City Desk is a contributing writer covering city and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Sydney Metro Southwest recorded 26,000 daily boardings in its first week of operation, exceeding Transport for NSW forecasts by more than 40 percent as commuters across Southwest Sydney embrace the new rapid link to the city.
Transport for NSW data shows the Bankstown extension carried an average of 26,000 boardings each weekday during its first seven days of passenger service. The figure compares with a pre-opening forecast of 18,500 daily boardings, marking one of the strongest opening-week performances for any Sydney Metro line.
Weekend patronage proved even stronger, with more than 18,700 boardings recorded across Saturday and Sunday. The surge reflects the line's popularity for both commuter trips and weekend travel, as Southwest Sydney residents gain direct access to the Sydney CBD without the congestion of the T3 Bankstown heavy rail corridor.
The opening of the Bankstown extension completes the conversion of the former T3 Bankstown Line to metro standards, delivering faster journey times and increased frequency. Peak services now run every four minutes, compared with the previous eight-minute frequency on the heavy rail line.
For many residents in suburbs including Bankstown, Punchbowl, Wiley Park and Campsie, the change has cut travel times to Central Station by up to 15 minutes. The improved service is drawing commuters away from private vehicles, with Transport for NSW reporting reduced car park demand at key stations across the corridor.
The stronger-than-expected ridership has prompted Transport for NSW to monitor passenger loads closely, particularly during the morning peak between 7.30am and 9.00am. Load factors reached 82 percent during the busiest hour, still within the train's capacity but above initial projections.
Transport for NSW has confirmed additional staff have been deployed at major interchanges to manage passenger flows during peak periods. The agency is also reviewing timetable patterns to determine whether additional services may be required in coming months as patronage continues to grow.
The Bankstown extension is the final stage of the Sydney Metro Southwest project, linking the existing Metro Northwest line at Chatswood to the CBD and beyond via the new line. The project delivers 11 new metro stations and upgrades existing infrastructure across Southwest Sydney.
The Transport for NSW Metro project updates provide detailed service information and timetable changes. For real-time service updates, commuters can check transportnsw.info.
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