17°C |
Saturday November 7, 2026 
5 November 2026
The NSW Liberals have pledged to increase peak-hour services on Sydney’s M1 Metro line from every four minutes to every three minutes if elected, although the proposal’s cost and delivery date remain undetermined.
The policy would increase services from 15 to 20 trains an hour in each direction. The opposition says this would provide capacity for an additional 5,760 passengers an hour in each direction, with more frequent services benefiting commuters at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross and Chatswood.
Within its first 100 days, a Liberal government would commission a timetable and capacity review to identify opportunities for extra services and inform the purchase of additional trains.
The proposal envisages approximately 12 to 15 additional Metro trains, subject to detailed technical and operational assessments.
Willoughby MP Tim James said demand was putting pressure on services used by local commuters.
“So many have voted with their feet that trains are often full by the time they reach Crows Nest,” James said.
“We built the Metro to run more often, and now’s the time to do it. Extra trains will mean more room on board, less time waiting, and will allow more to take advantage of this game-changing service.”
NSW opposition leader Kellie Sloane said the policy would build on the network’s popularity.
“Our plan for three-minute Metros would deliver 33 per cent more peak-hour services, giving commuters more capacity and less time waiting on platforms,” Sloane said.
Financing options would include examining arrangements through the existing public-private partnership, with any agreement subject to value-for-money testing.
However, the opposition said detailed costings and a delivery timetable would only be finalised in government, following operational assessments and commercial negotiations. The commitment to a review within 100 days does not specify when passengers would receive the additional services.