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Sydney Metro’s Final Section to Open With Select Doors Closed for Safety
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Delayed Opening and Closed Doors on the M1 Line
The state government has confirmed that six train-door and platform-screen doors will remain shut when the final 13-kilometre segment of the M1 metro line between Bankstown and Sydenham begins passenger service. Three of the closed doors are at Dulwich Hill station; the remaining three are one each at Canterbury, Campsie and Marrickville. The closures affect both the platform doors and the corresponding train doors that line up with them.
Safety Measures Prompt Door Closures
Transport Minister John Graham said the decision was reached with the national rail regulator to avoid any “even minor safety issues” at stations where the platforms are curved and the gap between driverless trains and the platform edge is greatest. To bridge this gap, 170 mechanical gap-fillers have been installed at eight stations along the curved sections. The gap-fillers extend hydraulically to the train carriages before the screen doors open, allowing passengers to board safely.
Infrastructure Challenges on Curved Platforms
The need for gap-fillers stems from the geometry of the new stations, which creates a wider distance between train and platform than on straight sections. The additional hardware and testing have contributed to the delay in final regulatory approval. Two key state approvals—including one from Fire and Rescue NSW—have now been secured, clearing the way for the final paperwork to be submitted to the national rail regulator.
Official Responses
Minister Graham expressed confidence that the railway will operate safely “very shortly” once the regulator completes its safety case review. Coalition transport spokesperson Natalie Ward criticised the situation as a “monumental stuff-up,” arguing that the government should be held accountable for the delayed opening and the decision to keep doors shut.
Upcoming Timeline
A budget estimates hearing earlier this year indicated that an indication of the opening date could be provided by the end of September, “all going well.” Confidential Sydney Metro documents list “mid-October” as the most recent target. As of October 1 2026, the government has not set a firm opening date, but the completed approvals suggest that the line could enter service in the coming weeks, pending regulator sign-off.