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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Penry Buckley

Sydney’s new metro line offers 110km/h speeds and an end to replacement buses – just don’t ask about the start date

Kylie Wilkinson, Chris Minns and Jo Haylen onboard the Southwest Metro train in Sydney on Tuesday.
Kylie Wilkinson, Chris Minns and Jo Haylen onboard the Sydenham to Bankstown metro extension, which passes through Marrickville, on Tuesday. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

For almost two years, thousands of passengers in Sydney’s inner west and south-west have queued daily for every commuter’s nightmare: the replacement bus.

In Marrickville, the queue for the bus to nearby Sydenham metro station snakes past artisan butchers and bánh mi shops. During the morning peak, commuters sometimes have to wait for three or four bright-pink buses before they can secure a spot.

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