Written by julie Jones, HaveWheelchairWillTravel, September 18, 2024
Braeden uses a mixture of car travel and public transport when he is out and about with his support workers. Public transport is his favourite way to get around Sydney because after a few years of avoiding it (thanks Covid) it’s a novelty. With that in mind, Braeden was lined up and ready to try the new Sydney Metro City Line on opening day. It took me a bit longer to hop on board but I decided to combine our experiences in an access review. So, if you’re wondering what the new Sydney Metro City Line is like, I’m sharing all the details.
The new Sydney Metro City Line – review
The main advantage of the new high-speed driverless Sydney City Metro Line is the step-free access allowing wheelchair users to board the train without the assistance of train staff. This gives peace of mind as wheelchair users are also not dependent on someone meeting them at the end of their rail journey with a ramp. Braeden recently experienced communication breakdown on the old style trains and he and his support worker arrived back to our station and no-one met them with a ramp. With the Sydney Metro there is no need for assistance. The other benefit is the frequency of the services meaning if you miss one train, one is only a few minutes behind.
On the station platform there is clear signage for the appropriate places for wheelchair users to enter the train where the wheelchair accessible spaces are available.
Wheelchair spaces are clearly marked within the carriages. Other seating in the same area of the carriage is also marked for senior travellers or those with a mobility restriction.
An emergency button is located beside the wheelchair access seating. I know some of our Facebook followers were worried about the automatic door closing time potentially being too swift for them. I suggest if needed, use the button. I haven’t been on a super busy train as yet so haven’t had any issue with the door closing time.
I used the train to the Gadigal Station which is close to Hyde Park and exits to Park Street which is extremely central to the Pitt Street Mall area of Sydney. The station is clean and offers nice wide passageways.
Bathrooms are available on the same level as the platform at Gadigal Station, including a unisex stand-alone accessible bathroom.
The accessible bathroom is equipped with grab rails, toilet backrest and lowered facilities.
Hand dryers are located on either side of the tap.
Information booths are located near the lifts on the platform level. I pressed the button assuming there would be some set information but to my surprise a human popped up on the screen asking how he could help. A little embarrassed I explained I was just checking out the access at the station. The information booth is at a good height for travellers of all abilities.
It’s good to see two large lifts have been installed and they are fast which hopefully means less waiting around.
Larger accessible gates are available for entry and exit.
In summary, the new Sydney City Metro line offers ease of access, the opportunity to travel independently with no rail staff assistance needed and all the facilities are sparkly clean. Braeden’s support worker reported that Braeden doesn’t like sitting on the seat on the Metro Line whereas on the regular trains he does. He prefers to stay in his wheelchair on the Metro Line. I found this odd until I rode the Sydney City Metro and then realised why, with the high speed of the train there is more force on the body to stay seated. I found myself leaning more and shifting around more on the seat. Braeden sits well but that extra force probably makes it much harder for him given he is already dealing with his athetoid movements. Braeden also misses interacting with the rail staff on the station.
I guess you can’t please all the people all the time but I think the Metro will be my go-to choice for its efficiency and the additional station options including Barangaroo which services the King Street Wharf and Darling Harbour precinct.