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Confusion as people expect trams to be extended into Sydney CBD
There is much talk about Metro Sydney and CBD Metro, which has caused a great deal of confusion.
There is little wonder why there is confusion between Metro Light Rail and the NSW Government's new project.
The company that owns Metro Light Rail is called Metro Transport Sydney. The NSW Government agency responsible for planning, delivering and commissioning the CBD Metro is called Metro Sydney.MetroTransport Sydney, owners and operators of Metro Light Rail, Sydney’s tram system, has for some time proposed extend light rail from Central to Circular Quay, now the NSW Government is planning to build a subway type rail system from Central to Rozelle and called it Sydney Metro.
Sydney Metro is not light rail, and it is not a tram, nor is it an extension of the existing City Rail network. Sydney Metro is an underground network approximately 20 to 35 metres below street level.
The NSW Government has committed $4.8 billion funding to start work on the Sydney Metro system for Sydney CBD.
The NSW Government’s 7km Sydney Metro will run underground from Central to Rozelle via Town Hall, Martin Place, Barangaroo/Wynyard and Pyrmont, while Metro Light Rail runs for 7km from Central Station to Lilyfield, via Darling Harbour, Pyrmont and Rozelle.
Light Rail Proposal
Discussions about extending Light Rail have continued since it’s opening in 1997.
A number of options for extension from Central Station to Circular Quay have been put to Government over the years; via Pitt Street, George Street, Castlereagh Street as well as via Higson Road and the Rocks. Metro Transport has received no definitive response to the many proposals.
A city extension of the existing successful tram network would feature 13 state-of-the-art trams able to carry 200 passengers each, which is the equivalent of 52 buses. The cost of this light rail extension would be approximately $200 million which is less than one twentieth of the cost of the new Sydney Metro.
Light Rail would provide a fast, reliable and clean mode of transport for commuters, residents and visitors. The Light Rail proposal would also mean significant cost savings for the NSW State Government on rail and bus networks, as well as providing the infrastructure to further extend the service to the east, west and south, ultimately creating a superb inner city tram network.
Metro Light Rail currently carries four million passengers a year along the existing seven kilometre route from Central Station to Lilyfield. Metro Transport has successfully operated the system since 31 August 1997, managing the construction of the Lilyfield extension in the year 2000.
In many ways a competing network to the existing tram system, the Government’s Sydney Metro project is projected to be up and running by 2015. For more information on the Government's rail project visit www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au
For media enquiries, more information contact:
Michelle Silberman
Metro Transport
Tel: +61 (02) 8584 5250
Email:michelle.silberman@metrotransport.com.au
