Western Sydney Airport (WSI) Discussion

[SeatBackForward]

Although on the news last night was an announcement on the WSI-St Mary's metro line, to join up with the rest of the network. Who knows, it might be connected before Melbourne's Tullamarine

It makes sense to connect it, but will require a change of trains. The current WSI Metro will continue on towards Schofields, where an interchange with the North West/City metro will occur at a new station (the space is available here vs St Mary's).

 

[kamchatsky]

Any new trainline for Sydney will be driveless and a few more upgrades to the existing lines to driveless.

If you are only referring to WSI Line, the line should open when WSI opens in sometime 2026.

If you are referring to other lines:
Bankstown-Sydenham line conversion: Late 2025/Start of 2026
Metro West to Parramatta/Westmead: 2032 (for now)

Homepage | Sydney Metro

Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project. Find all the latest news and information here.

www.sydneymetro.info

 

[moa999]

I hope that when they develop the stations, it is designed for 8+ carriages in mind ......

Definitely not 8.. they are shorter platforms - maybe 4.
But as below ultimately this will probably be the secondary line to the airport, and form kind of an outer orbital.

Driverless ?

Yes. Although it will connect to a driven train line at St.Marys.

It makes sense to connect it, but will require a change of trains. The current WSI Metro will continue on towards Schofields, where an interchange with the North West/City metro will occur at a new station (the space is available here vs St Mary's).

More likely at Schofields. St.Marys isn't being constructed with a future connection in mind. So ultimately M2 would connect to M1 (extended) at Schofields, and also South to Campbelltown/ Macarthur and possible Leppington.

But the longer term plans have the M3 (also under construction and due to be completed in 2032) from City Hunter St (between Wynyard and Martin Place) to Westmead (just West of Parramatta) to be extended to WSI Airport as it expands.

And not that WSI is intended to be primarily used by those in the CBD but it will probably be a 30-35min journey time from Hunter St.

 

[Denali]

New Sydney airport train FYI. Apparently they will stream live airport arrivals/departures. My only issue is its from St Marys so you have to get to/from St Marys on the very average Sydney trains first. Thats a no thank you from me

https://fb.watch/xgoCytuVGZ

 

[DejaBrew]

New Sydney airport train FYI. Apparently they will stream live airport arrivals/departures. My only issue is its from St Marys so you have to get to/from St Marys on the very average Sydney trains first. Thats a no thank you from me

https://fb.watch/xgoCytuVGZ

Looks like there's funding committed to develop a business case for linking St Marys and Tallawong, via Schofields and Marsden Park. No news yet on how far along they are with the development of said business case, or when construction would commence (assuming approval).

Planning for future extensions | Sydney Metro

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project is currently under construction and will provide a Metro connection from St Marys to Bradfield via Western Sydney International Airport, when the airport opens for passenger services.

www.sydneymetro.info

 

[Bindibuys]

Hubby was there this week at the WSI Experience Centre. Was told construction will be completed at the end of 2025 but not operational until end of 2026 due to all the technology testing they have to do. (hands up AFF members to test the lounges)
Initially will take 10M passengers compared to SYD that does 45M passengers, but will eventually handle 82m pax.
Will start off with 6 airbridges and 13 gates.
Will not have a control tower, everything done remotely and with cameras.
Final picture is expected to look like with 2 run ways in 2062 - note control tower is a mistake.

 

[Denali]

Hubby was there this week at the WSI Experience Centre. Was told construction will be completed at the end of 2025 but not operational until end of 2026 due to all the technology testing they have to do. (hands up AFF members to test the lounges)
Initially will take 10M passengers compared to SYD that does 45M passengers, but will eventually handle 82m pax.
Will start off with 6 airbridges and 13 gates.
Will not have a control tower, everything done remotely and with cameras.
Final picture is expected to look like with 2 run ways in 2062 - note control tower is a mistake.
View attachment 427872

View attachment 427873

View attachment 427874

No control tower? Sounds wonderful until the entire world gets the blue screen again

 

[Flashback]

No control tower? Sounds wonderful until the entire world gets the blue screen again

If designed/built to best practises then OT machines shouldn't be getting live updates like that anyway.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Interesting piece from an interview with the Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton (ex Transurban for those who follow monopolistic holdings!)

The 30-year-old law threatening Sydney’s most popular flights

Sydney Airport is intensifying calls for the government to change legislation around Sydney’s curfew as important flights risk running afoul of a legal loophole.

www.afr.com

Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton said the current law allows for 24 passenger flights to land outside the curfew between 5am and 6am – but only until a new airport is built at Badgerys Creek in western Sydney. That leaves the future of flights including Qantas’ QF2 from Singapore and London up in the air.

I for one wasn't aware of this law, but realise it'll certainly make things interesting. Remembering that SYD had first right of refusal of ownership of WSI and didn't take up the option, so now WSI will be government owned, at least until they find a buyer!

 

[Bundy Bear]

How fast will the curfew rules be adjusted once WSI is operational

 

[moa999]

Remembering that SYD had first right of refusal of ownership of WSI

Financial model of SYD wouldn't really let them carry the large and lengthy capital investment in WSI
(Or for that matter major expansion at SYD).

But I think they will certainly push to keep those 5-6am flights. Would cause big issues if they couldn't.

Also somewhat surprised that Qantas (on behalf of Jetstar) hasn't pushed for the 320/321neos (and future Qantas/Jetstar 321xlrs) to be classed in the low noise aircraft category

 

[kamchatsky]

How fast will the curfew rules be adjusted once WSI is operational

Financial model of SYD wouldn't really let them carry the large and lengthy capital investment in WSI
(Or for that matter major expansion at SYD).

But I think they will certainly push to keep those 5-6am flights. Would cause big issues if they couldn't.

Also somewhat surprised that Qantas (on behalf of Jetstar) hasn't pushed for the 320/321neos (and future Qantas/Jetstar 321xlrs) to be classed in the low noise aircraft category

The law is to ensure that WSI is more competitive, and "allow nearby residents a better sleep".

Once the federal election is over then the airlines and airport can negotiate but I suspect that they won't change the law, especially WSI is owned by the government.

 

[RooFlyer]

One of the reasons for WSI to come into existence was that the within-curfew flights at SYD can be moved and your curfew operate as it was designed to. Airlines have known for years that this would be the case.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Airlines have known for years that this would be the case

It does make one wonder who is the one more concerned about this law - the airport or the airlines? It would be an interesting look for the airlines to push for an extension of the law, as then any argument for wanting and using the new airport falls over.

 

[RooFlyer]

It does make one wonder who is the one more concerned about this law - the airport or the airlines? It would be an interesting look for the airlines to push for an extension of the law, as then any argument for wanting and using the new airport falls over.

Sydney airport and the airlines will be the ones wanting the law changed (ie to allow continuation of the curfew-breaking).

Tough. As you noted, Sydney Airport had the first right to operate the new airport and turned it down.