The NSW Parliament has passed legislation to create the Sydney Metro statutory authority to deliver the city’s new world-class metro railway system.
The NSW Government controlled agency will support the delivery of the biggest urban rail infrastructure investment in Australian history.
The legislation establishes Sydney Metro with accountability for the entire metro lifecycle – from the planning, construction, delivery and operations of Sydney Metro services to its integration within the urban fabric of Sydney.
“Sydney Metro is a game-changer for Sydney which will revolutionise the way we get around our great global city for future generations to come – metro rail is here to stay,” Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Andrew Constance, said.
“New world-class metro rail services will start before we know it – in the first half of next year (2018) in the booming North West, then extending into the CBD and beyond to Bankstown. In 2024, Sydney will have 31 Sydney Metro stations and 66km of new metro rail, with a new metro train every four minutes in each direction in the peak.
“We need to focus on more than just the first day of operations – we want great outcomes for all of Sydney for future generations to come from this $20 billion-plus investment.”
Sydney Metro is a key part of delivering the NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 priorities – this customer-focused fully-accessible metro service will help grow the state’s economy and help create vibrant places and communities.
Transport for NSW’s Sydney Metro Delivery Office will be transformed into the enduring Sydney Metro government agency, which will be dedicated to delivering a new mass transit system that will grow with the city.
Sydney Metro will be owned by the NSW Government and will be part of the Transport for NSW cluster, operating similar to Sydney Trains.
Many transport organisations around the world operate in a similar way, ensuring new rail systems can be effectively delivered and integrated with the communities and places around them – and that the customer is always at the centre of their operations.
Sydney Metro will be tasked with working across government to lead the delivery of a world-class metro rail system focused on customers and great local places, driving the state’s economic growth well into the future as a result.
The Sydney Metro Delivery Office has been working within Transport for NSW since 2011 and will be transitioned into the new authority, which is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2018.