Sydney has officially opened its new multi-billion-dollar driverless metro line, the Sydney Metro City Line. 

The line, which began construction in 2017, cost 21.6 billion Australian dollars, making it the largest public transport project in Australian history. The new line is expected to reshape the city's transport landscape, offering a seamless commute on routes that used to be a hassle.
Despite the project's high cost and the controversy surrounding it, the successful launch of the line marks a major milestone in the city's public transport infrastructure development.
Sydney has marked a historic moment with the official opening of its new multi-billion-dollar driverless metro line, the Sydney Metro City Line. The first passenger service on this line departed from Sydenham station in Sydney's inner western suburbs at 4:54 a.m. local time, travelling the 15.5 km tunnel under the central business district and Sydney harbour to arrive at Chatswood in the city's north shore at 5:16 a.m.
The opening of the line was met with much anticipation, with crowds queuing from 1 a.m. local time on Monday to ride the first service on the extension of the existing driverless metro line. The line was initially scheduled to open on August 4 but was postponed due to safety regulator approvals.
The state government of New South Wales (NSW) estimates that the service will carry up to 250,000 passengers on a typical weekday, saving commuters travelling from Sydenham to Barangaroo in central Sydney 27 minutes. This is a significant development in the city's public transport system, offering a more efficient and convenient mode of travel for residents and visitors alike.

Sydney Metro City Line: A Historic Project

The Sydney Metro City Line project, which began construction in 2017, cost 21.6 billion Australian dollars ($14.4 billion), making it the largest public transport project in Australian history. The project included the construction of five new stations and the addition of new platforms and entrances to the existing Central and Martin Place stations.
The existing stretch of the driverless metro line, which opened in 2019, stretches 36 km from Tallawong in north-western Sydney to Chatswood. Once a final section is completed in 2025, the line will extend on from Sydenham to Bankstown in the city's south-west.
The opening of the line was hailed as a historic moment in the city's history by NSW's Transport Minister Jo Haylen. She expressed her excitement at the prospect of the first passengers travelling on the new M1 extension deep below the city and under the harbour.
The Impact and Future of the Sydney Metro City Line

The new line is expected to reshape the city's transport landscape, offering a seamless commute on routes that used to be a hassle, potentially enticing more people from behind the wheels of their cars and opening up new destinations for social outings. Commuters from Sydenham and Waterloo won't have to switch trains before accessing the northern side of the harbour and areas like the business district at Macquarie Park.
The project has not been without controversy, however, with its $21.6 billion price tag almost $10 billion over the original estimate of $12 billion. Despite this, the successful completion and launch of the Sydney Metro City Line mark a significant milestone in the city's public transport infrastructure development.
The Sydney Metro City Line is not the first of its kind in the world. Similar driverless metro lines have been implemented in other major cities globally, including the Docklands Light Railway in London and the Copenhagen Metro in Denmark. These systems have proven to be efficient and reliable modes of transport, reducing congestion and providing a more sustainable alternative to private car use.
Otherwise, the opening of the Sydney Metro City Line is a significant development in Sydney's public transport system. It is expected to greatly improve the city's connectivity, reduce commute times, and provide a more efficient and sustainable mode of transport for the city's residents and visitors. Despite the project's high cost and the controversy surrounding it, the successful launch of the line marks a major milestone in the city's public transport infrastructure development.