Sydney Metro Shutdown Sparks Outrage Amid Major Events
-Transport for NSW announced on Monday that services between Tallawong and Sydenham “would not run” and would be replaced by buses due to trackwork, only two months after the Metro opened.
“Use Sydney Trains services between Chatswood, the City and Sydenham,” Transport for NSW said.
Sydney commuters are outraged after Transport for NSW announced the closure of Metro services between Tallawong and Sydenham for the entire weekend, disrupting travel plans for thousands of residents and visitors during a time of major events in Sydney.
The shutdown, scheduled to coincide with the Everest at Royal Randwick, Sculpture by the Sea, and Crows Nest Fest, is necessary to facilitate work on the southwest extension to Bankstown, according to Sydney Metro. However, some sources suggest the shutdown is also intended to upgrade computer systems.
“North Sydney Council is furious after finding out that planned trackwork will shut down the Sydney Metro on the same day that thousands will head to the area for its annual festival known as Crows Nest Fest”
The decision comes just months after the Metro’s opening and has sparked widespread criticism on social media. Commuters are particularly upset given the timing of the shutdown, which will coincide with the Everest, a highly anticipated horse racing event expected to be attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
“The closure, initially attributed to trackwork for the southwest extension to Bankstown, has raised questions about the timing and the potential impact on thousands of attendees. Critics argue that the shutdown could have been avoided or rescheduled to minimize inconvenience.”
The Daily Telegraph
The closure will impact the Royal Randwick Racecourse, which is serviced by the Light Rail and buses from Central Station. Despite expanding the festival footprint to accommodate increased attendance from the Metro, organizers of Crows Nest Fest have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the shutdown on their event.
A Sydney Metro spokesperson apologized for any inconvenience caused by the closure and stated that the trackwork could not be rescheduled.
However, North Sydney Council has expressed frustration with the timing of the shutdown, which will coincide with its annual festival.
Sydneysiders took to social media to vent their frustration.
“On Everest weekend …” one wrote on X.
“You folks are a joke! The metro is packed on a weekend,” another said.
The Everest at Royal Randwick, which is sold out and set to be attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, will be impacted by the Metro closure.
Royal Randwick Racecourse is serviced by the Light Rail, and buses leaving from Central Station, one of the Metro stops.
The Metro closure, initially attributed to trackwork for the southwest extension to Bankstown, has raised serious questions about the timing and the potential impact on thousands of attendees. Critics argue that the shutdown could have been avoided or rescheduled to minimize inconvenience.
Commuters will be forced to rely on buses and regular train services, leading to longer travel times and potential disruptions!
