Thousands of commuters in Sydney will face temporary disruption as the T6 Lidcombe–Bankstown Line is scheduled for a full closure over nine weeks to accommodate major construction works aimed at increasing train capacity.
Scope and Timeline of the Closure
The closure will affect the section of the T6 Metro line between April 27 and June 29, during which three stations — Yagoona, Birrong, and Bankstown — will be completely shut. The other three stations along the route — Lidcombe, Berala, and Regents Park — will remain operational, offering connectivity through alternate lines.
The T6 line, often referred to as a “shuttle line” created after the closure of the former T3 Bankstown line, sees approximately 11,000 daily passengers, according to NSW Transport.
Replacement Services and Passenger Guidance
To mitigate the disruption, Transport NSW has arranged for free replacement buses running between Bankstown and Lidcombe. These include the 8T6, which will stop at all closed stations, and the 8AT6, providing an express route stopping only at Bankstown and Lidcombe.
Additional transfer options are available at:
- Lidcombe and Regents Park (connection to train services),
- Bankstown (connection to the pink Southwest Link buses operating between Sydenham and Bankstown, which will remain unaffected).
Passengers traveling into the city or toward the Inner West from Lidcombe can continue using the T1 Western, T2 Inner West, or T3 Liverpool via Regents Park lines, with no anticipated changes to service levels on those routes.
Purpose of the Construction Works
The main objective of the nine-week project is to enable eight-car trains to operate along the T6 line — a significant increase from the current four-car limit. The project also includes upgrades such as:
- Installation of a new track layout allowing access to both platforms at Bankstown station,
- Signaling system improvements to support future Southwest Metro integration.
According to Transport Minister John Graham, although the T6 is a relatively small line in terms of passenger volume, the impact will be felt by its regular users. He emphasized that measures including fare-free buses and on-site marshals will assist commuters throughout the transition.
Once the upgrades are complete, the T6 line will not only double its passenger-handling capacity but also become better integrated with Sydney’s upcoming Southwest Metro network.
The department has issued an apology for the temporary inconvenience and reassured that ongoing communication will be provided to keep passengers informed.
