The conversion of the line to metro is scheduled to take 12 months, but involves difficult upgrades to a 130-year-old rail line, meaning it could take longer.
During the conversion period, free pink Southwest Link buses will provide frequent services running from early in the morning until late at night. Travel will take longer, especially in peak hour – doubling journey times in some cases, according to indicative modelling.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said the Bankstown line has been a stalwart of NSW railways – faithfully serving communities for over a century.
“We’ve seen this line move from steam trains, to electrification – now it’s time for its latest upgrade to allow for modern metro trains,” she said.
“The line’s closure marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one. This T3 transformation will see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come.
“There’s no sugar-coating it – this closure will be an incredibly tough time for these communities, and we’ve been upfront that it could take longer than a year. Please allow plenty of extra travel time, check your trip planner apps, or transportnsw.info.”
Travel times could double
Thousands of frustrated commuters will see their daily travel times double with the Bankstown rail line now closed to make way for the new Metro.