Stage 1 of 4
The experience
Sydney’s Metro is being designed to a specification that will set new benchmarks for customer experience.
It will offer a fast, frequent and reliable service that:
- is customer focused
- takes into account Sydney’s existing urban environment and transport infrastructure – and improves it where improvements are needed
- supports the long-term competitiveness and attractiveness of our city.
The idea is that customers will use this form of public transport if it is easy to get to, easy to use, comfortable to travel on, safe and able reliable.
Frequency
The Metro will offer a reliable 'turn-up-and-go' service arriving every 2-3 minutes during peak periods and at high frequencies through the day.
It has been modelled on the very best metros in the world. The operator will therefore be expected to achieve the following targets for service availability and reliability:
• 99.5% for train service availability
• 98% for service reliability - measured at 120 seconds late.
Travel times
It will take approximately 8 minutes to travel from Rozelle to Town Hall, 10 minutes to Central.
It will take approximately 5 minutes to cross the CBD from Central to Barangaroo-Wynyard.
It will take approximately 5 minutes to travel from Leichhardt to Central, 24 minutes from Parramatta.
Use our handy trip time calculator to estimate more travel times.
Operating hours
It is proposed that the Metro will run between:
• 5.30am to midnight, Sunday to Thursday
• 5.30am to 1.00am, Fridays and Saturdays, with the ability to operate for longer hours if required (during special events for example).
Ticketing
The Public Transport Ticketing Corporation (PTTC) has invited tenders for a new integrated ticketing system to cover all public transport in Sydney. It is expected that Sydney's new integrated ticketing system will be in place for the start of the Metro service.
Safety and security
The Metro will provide world-class safety and security for customers, staff, contractors, neighbours and other stakeholders.
- Metros operate on dedicated tracks, independent from roads and other rail
- The trains and control systems are highly integrated to achieve excellent safety and reliability
- The control system will allow continuous monitoring of the trains, stations and other facilities
- During the journey, passengers can use a two-way communications system to speak directly with the control centre in case of an energency: using the same technology, the control centre can give passengers immediate information and advice
- Platform screen doors provide protection to passengers waiting on platforms and reduce fire risk by preventing rubbish building up within the tunnel
- The train carriages are separated by enclosed gangways rather than doors, so passengers can move easily and safely within the train, with clear line of sight into the adjacent carriages
- Clearly visible customer service staff will be available to offer assistance to passengers on platforms and on station concourses. They will be trained in customer service, fault rectification, conflict resolution, safety management and response
- Station entrances, concourses and platforms and carriages will be well lit, monitored by CCTV and have clear signage for emergency exits.
Under the draft 2008 Rail Safety legislation, the party responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining the Metro will be required to obtain safety accreditation by the Independent Safety and Reliability Regulator..
Potential hazards and risks have been identified and assessed for metro operations in general and for the application within the Sydney context. All potential hazards will be managed through appropriate design and safety management systems.
There is ongoing consultation with the NSW Police Force on the security and emergency response matters associated with the Metro, taking advantage of the local and international experience and expertise to ensure that best practice is adopted.
A Fire and Life Safety Strategy has already been developed in consultation with the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator, NSW Fire Brigade, NSW Police Force and other relevant organisations.
