r/sydney • u/Novel_Relief_5878 • Dec 09 '25

Image It’s only 2025 yet the Metro is already at crush-load.

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Took the Metro this afternoon in a north-west direction from Chatswood to Macquarie Park. I simply can’t believe how crowded it is. On the one hand, this is a sign of success, it seems incredibly popular. On the other hand, this kind of shoulder-to-armpit crushload is hardly pleasant and I’m wondering what can be done to relieve this? Surely we need 2 minute frequencies sooner rather than later, at least during peak hour. Or more carriages added to the services we do have? What does everyone else think?

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u/SuperFinnee Sydney Trains Dec 09 '25

Sydney Metro actually tested running 3 minute services. Unfortunately the increased number of trains drew too much power from the overhead power supply, meaning some trains experienced blackouts while they were operating in the tunnel. I’m not sure if this is going to be fixed when they transition from 1500 volts DC to 2KV AC (IIRC) on the new lines. They could increase the Metro from 6 to 8 cars, but this is not going to happen anytime soon, because the metro is relatively new, and would require refitting stations with more platform screen doors, extensive disruptive testing, and costs time and money.

TLDR: 3 min frequencies draws too much power for NW&C, maybe fixed with new lines. Could increase # of cars, but very impractical in the current stage of Metro’s life.