Sydney Metro Opening Delayed for Safety Approvals

The opening of Sydney's $21.6 billion Metro project, scheduled for August 4, has been delayed due to pending safety approvals from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. Transport Minister Jo Haylen apologized to commuters, explaining that the delay stems from the need for additional safety exercises following an incident and industrial action. Despite extensive testing, with over 11,000 hours already completed, the exact new opening date remains undetermined. The delay affects the line running from Sydenham to Chatswood and subsequently impacts the conversion of the Sydenham to Bankstown T3 line. Changes to bus timetables will proceed as planned to support commuters. The government assures passengers that safety and reliability are the top priorities.