Delays expected on T3 Bankstown train line as construction begins

Sydney's transport network is set to undergo a major upheaval, as works begins to upgrade the Bankstown line.

Transcript

00:00Commuters are being asked to engage in a state of short-term pain for long-term gain.

00:08That's at least what the New South Wales government is asking of the public.

00:11Tens of thousands of people will be affected by these closures, which cover a corridor

00:15of train stations in the inner west and southwest of Sydney.

00:19From today, they'll now be replaced from trains to buses.

00:23These buses have been a really big headache for the state government.

00:26They had to scramble after facing industrial action to get all the drivers required, more

00:31than 200 in total.

00:33But Transport for New South Wales says they have managed to do that and as a result, operations

00:38will be as smooth as possible.

00:40However, because it is a bus network using the roads, when it used to be a rail network

00:45on a clear pathway, the exact commuter times could be far more significant.

00:49I think it's a good idea to replace the train from, I'm coming from Wally Park, so there's

00:56a limited stop bus, which is SW2, yeah, it saves time a bit, but yeah, I have to allow

01:03travel time to reach Sydney.

01:05Give some extra time for the travel time so you're not rushing around in the morning.

01:12While the works are estimated to take about 12 months, the state government is saying

01:16these are highly complicated constructions and could take longer.

01:21As a result, it might mean these changes that are only supposed to last 12 months may well

01:25end up being longer, and that'll be little consolation, whether there's free fares or

01:30not, for those commuters impacted.