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Western Sydney Airport’s first metro train has arrived in Australia ahead of the beginning of testing.
The first of 12 three-carriage Siemens trains was unloaded at Port Kembla last week and trucked to the new Stabling and Maintenance Facility at Orchard Hills for assembly, having travelled 23,000 kilometres by ship from Vienna.
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“It’s great to see Metro trains arriving, which will serve Western Sydney’s new international airport. With room for bags and flight information, these will be among the most advanced trains in the country,” said Federal Transport Minister Catherine King.
“Today’s delivery gets us a step closer to connecting another Australian airport with a rail link – Melbourne via Sunshine next!”
The trains have wider aisles than those on Sydney’s existing M1 metro line, with room for luggage storage underneath the seats, as well as digital displays showing real-time flight arrivals and departures, and accessibility features such as hearing loops and designated wheelchair spaces.
According to NSW Minister for Transport John Graham, the remaining 11 trains will arrive over coming months, with dynamic testing expected to begin later this year.
“Western Sydney is getting the most technologically-advanced driverless trains in the world to service the new international airport and that growing part of the city. We are excited to the see first train unloading at the docks,” he said.
“These trains will be unique to the Western Sydney Airport Metro line, providing wider aisles for travellers with luggage, digital screens showing real-time flight information and all modern accessibility features.
“Platforms and gates at the new airport station will be wider to make it a first-class experience when services begin.”
Tracklaying on the 23-kilometre, six-station line was completed last month, with focus now turning to fitting out tunnels and viaducts ahead of train testing.
The metro project, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, was slated to open alongside the airport later this year, but has been pushed back to at least 2027, amid fears of further delays due to a dispute with contractors; free buses will run in the interim.
WSI will see its first passenger flight, a Jetstar service to the Gold Coast, on 25 October.
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