Sydney’s New Metro Line: A Milestone in Urban Transportation

The Australia Letter

The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. This week’s issue is crafted by Yan Zhuang, an Australian journalist currently stationed in the Seoul bureau, who is particularly thrilled about the unveiling of the new metro line.

Before dawn broke, a vibrant crowd began to gather—some had traveled across the sprawling city, while others journeyed from far-off states. Hundreds of enthusiastic individuals, adorned with eye-catching signs, custom-made shirts, and even colorful hair or manicured nails, eagerly queued up, all in hopes of being among the first to experience the arrival of Sydney’s latest transportation marvel. Media outlets from across the city converged on the scene, amplifying the excitement.

As the train finally glided into the station, the atmosphere erupted into applause and jubilant cheers. The opening of a significant segment of Sydney’s new metro train line on Monday was celebrated with the kind of enthusiasm typically reserved for celebrity appearances or grand concerts. In a nation largely reliant on cars, where public transportation in major urban areas is often described as merely “adequate,” this expansion—with its impressive, cathedral-like stations and roomy, driverless trains—felt like a pivotal moment in the city’s transportation narrative.

This newly inaugurated segment connects Sydenham, a lively inner-west neighborhood, to Chatswood, located in the northern part of Sydney. The line runs beneath the bustling city center and even traverses under the iconic Harbor Bridge. This marks the second phase of the metro project to become operational, following the launch of a northern section in 2019. With several additional segments currently under construction, they are set to debut over the next decade, forming an integrated rail system that modernizes and complements Sydney’s existing rail network—most of which was established between the mid-19th century and the early 1900s. This was highlighted by David Levinson, a transportation professor at the University of Sydney.

The media coverage surrounding the opening was nothing short of exuberant. The national broadcaster, ABC, likened the experience of riding the metro to “something out of a science fiction movie.” One reporter expressed amazement at the spaciousness available for commuters, while another, broadcasting live from inside a moving train, humorously remarked, “I am hanging on for dear life here.” The trains, operated by the New South Wales transportation agency (Sydney’s capital), can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.

It’s important to note that while these new trains are impressive, they are not groundbreaking. They share similarities, albeit on a smaller scale, with the subways of major cities like Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong. The project was developed by a consortium that includes Hong Kong’s MTR rail company.

In summary, while the new metro system does not redefine the concept of public transport, it represents a significant leap forward for Sydney’s urban infrastructure, offering a glimpse into a more connected and efficient future.