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The Sydney Metro project is facing even more delays with new internal documents revealing the state-of-the-art train carriages for Sydney’s new international airport have missed their deadline in arriving from Europe.
The first driverless trains were due to arrive in November of last year coming all the way from Germany after undergoing testing – but alas, February is nearly over and the 12 trains are nowhere to be found.
A fairly vague response has been given by Sydney Metro as to why there have been such significant delays, citing the fact that delivery timetables were subject to change in order to “ensure alignment with the overall construction program.”
Read into that what you will (eye rolls are welcome).
This train delay snafu is just the latest hurdle in a project that has been consistently marred by missteps and miscalculations. The Sydney Metro line that offers a 23-kilometre direct line to the new Western Sydney International Airport was originally due to open as the first flights start operating later this year.
RELATED READ: The new Western Sydney International Airport is opening this year – here's what we know so far
However, the completion date for the Sydney Metro line has now been pushed out to late 2027, with a hefty project budget blow out to $2.2 billion.
In response to the considerable delays, the government has arranged for free shuttle buses to transport passengers from St Marys in the city to the new airport when it opens later in 2026.
The messy project has of course given way to a political fracas with both sides slinging shots in a melee that feels never-ending.
RELATED READ: Sydney's new metro line has reached a major milestone – here's the latest update for Sydenham to Bankstown commuters
Coalition spokesperson Natalie Ward took aim at the Labor government recently saying, “Western Sydney was promised a world-class rail link opening alongside the airport. Instead, commuters are getting excuses, a minibus and a government that won’t be up front with the public.”
Meanwhile Transport Minister John Graham said the delays were due to “the former government’s failure to properly design fire emergency exits, putting public safety at risk.”
So, when will the new Sydney Metro line start operating? Your guess is as good as ours.
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