Ten stations along Sydney’s 130-year-old Bankstown railway line have completed their conversion for metro services, with testing now moving into its final operational phase.
The upgrades between Sydenham and Bankstown include 360 automated platform screen doors and more than 1,300 gap fillers designed to bridge spaces created by curved platforms.
Station buildings have been refurbished, platforms resurfaced and toilets upgraded. The project has also installed 790 CCTV cameras, more than 2,000 wayfinding signs and 145 passenger information displays.
Heritage elements have been retained during the conversion, including the platform chimneys at Canterbury Station.
More than 1,000 people are expected to inspect the completed Campsie Metro Station on Monday, including its open-air plaza and public artwork inspired by children from the local community.
Transport Minister John Graham thanked residents for their patience during the conversion.
“I want to thank these communities for their patience. The site of their local station, fully refurbished and ready for service gives a tangible sense of what’s to come,” Mr Graham said.
“These 19th century stations have transformed to meet the standards of the 21st century public transport.”
Mr Graham said each station would become “the heart of each of these communities and their rapid connection to the city’s public transport network”.
“These station upgrades are the culmination of years of hard work, investment and patience from their communities. Along with every person living in this corridor, I can’t wait to see these stations in full swing,” he said.
The project will begin full-line daytime trial journeys on Tuesday. Passengers will continue to leave services at Sydenham while empty metro trains travel along the converted line to Bankstown as part of testing.
Metro trains have been tested on the line since April 2025. More than 6,150 of the required 9,000 testing hours have been completed, along with about 24,750 of a planned 30,000 kilometres.
The NSW government has not given an opening date for passenger services, with testing, commissioning and operational readiness work still under way.
The conversion includes lifts at Wiley Park, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Punchbowl and Canterbury, making every station on the southwest section accessible by lift.
Drop-off zones have been added at nine stations, while 379 bicycle parking spaces have been installed along the corridor. Public plazas and shared paths have also opened near Campsie, Bankstown, Dulwich Hill and Punchbowl stations.
Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said the completion of station work brought the project closer to carrying passengers.
“The completion of all stations means we are one step closer to this life changing infrastructure, that will deliver better connections to jobs, educational facilities, recreation and essential services across Sydney more quickly and reliably than ever before,” Ms Cotsis said.
“Our community deserves world-class transport, and that’s exactly what these upgrades will deliver. Residents will benefit from safer, more accessible stations, while the new public spaces and artwork create places people can enjoy and feel proud of.”
Ms Cotsis said the involvement of local children in the Campsie artwork had given the station a connection to the area.
“I’m especially proud that Campsie Metro Station features public artwork inspired by local children. It means this station doesn’t just connect people to where they need to go, it also reflects the creativity, diversity and identity of the community it serves,” she said.
Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen described the completion of the stations as an important project milestone.
“Reaching completion at all ten stations is a major achievement and brings the benefits of Metro Southwest another step closer for local communities,” Ms Haylen said.
“These stations have been transformed from end to end, delivering modern infrastructure, improved public spaces and better connections, while preserving the character and history that make each station unique.”
The government estimates a Metro journey from Marrickville to Gadigal Station will take 12 minutes, half the current travel time. Bankstown to Central is expected to take 28 minutes, a six-minute saving.
Estimated journey times include 44 minutes from Campsie to Macquarie University, saving 17 minutes, and 37 minutes from Lakemba to Victoria Cross, a reduction of 24 minutes.
Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-sen Li said people living around Belfield, Campsie and Croydon Park would benefit from the changes.
“Residents on the Belfield, Campsie and Croydon Park side of our electorate will feel the benefit of this upgrade in their daily commute,” Mr Li said.
“Faster, more frequent trains mean real time back for local families, whether they’re off to work, university or just exploring more of what southwest Sydney has to offer.”
Member for Bankstown Jihad Dibb said the approaching start of passenger services was an important moment for the area.
“People across the Bankstown area have watched this project take shape station by station, and now we’re getting very close to being able to hop on the metro. It’s an exciting and game-changing moment for our community,” Mr Dibb said.
“The metro will give local families, workers and students a faster way to connect with the rest of Sydney. It’s another big investment in the future of our community.”
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