Sydney Metro

The new Sydney Metro train line opened at the weekend. It runs from Chatswood to Epping via the existing tunnel, and on out to the north-west via Cherrybrook and Castle Hill through a new tunnel. It's then up onto a viaduct beside the Windsor Road, terminating at Tallawong, just beyond Rouse Hill.



There were bumper crowds on the first day, with free rides, and a with few teething troubles too. The trains are driverless, and that's quite a big deal for many.

I waited a few days before venturing aboard myself. There were no crowds mid-morning on Tuesday. No problems with doors not opening, or trains missing their stopping spots at stations. And no mysterious breakdowns. It all went spiffingly! It was a fast, comfortable, thoroughly excellent experience.

One advantage of having no driver is that you can wander right up to the front, take up the 'driver's position' yourself, and get a terrific view out the front.

I got out at Rouse Hill, where the cathedral-like station has stained-glass windows. I had my morning coffee in the Town Centre there, and headed back.

For the time being the trains have staff members riding shotgun on them, like the chap on the left here. They do seem to be needed from time to time. Just after my inspection trip another train 'lost contact' with the control system and came to a halt. The human had to spring into action and move it on. Then on the news this morning we heard of a power outage affecting a long stretch of the line for a while.

It might be a some time yet before our state government fulfills its dream of ridding the transport system entirely of human operatives.