“Public transport brings more excitement to more people than anything else,” he said.
“For a place like Sydney,this brings that global city feel. We now have a metro through the heart of the city,and we have the next generation of technology,” Collins said.
Thomas Marynissen,left,Wesley Fung,and Logan Newboult-Kosztyo,holding Metro signs,at Sydenham station.Credit:Janie Barrett
Lawson,who has led the project to extend the line under the harbour,said the opening had “gone brilliantly” after early nervousness.
“We pulled the train in early so we could get everyone on. It was pretty packed,with probably 900 people on that first train. And so we had about 15 minutes waiting. And I think that was when – probably for me – the nerves were at their greatest,” he said.
Loading
“And just watching the display tick down until it was time for the train to go – and when the train moved off,it really accelerates fast down into the tunnel,super smooth. And you know,for me,that was the moment when it was like,‘yeah,we have done this’,it’s open now.”
As the packed train weaved its way under the central city,passengers had to hold on at times.
Unlike theopening of the first stage of Sydney’s metro network in May 2019,the first paid passenger service on the extended M1 line from Chatswood to Sydenham was without a ribbon-cutting,which did not bother the train enthusiasts one iota.
Accompanied by her six-year-old son Dylan,Haylen said the opening of a second harbour rail crossing was a “truly historic day” that would reshape the way people traverse Sydney.
Loading
“It was an early start,a lot of anticipation and an incredible amount of enthusiasm for this public transport service,” she said.
“And for good reason;it is absolutely changing our city for the better.”
While the first passenger services ran without a hitch on Monday,Haylen said the “real test” of the new line would continue for days as more commuters used it for the first time.
“There is no way to truly simulate the interaction of the public. So far,we’re going well,but we want people to be patient,to take their time,” she said.
“People need to find their way around;find their way to the right platform;get on board with all of their travelling companions;hold your children’s hands;and also hang on,because it is fast.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories,analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.