It is not yet 10 am this morning and there is a huge queue of people waiting to board the first driverless train from Chatswood Station all the way to Tallawong Station terminus.
Yep 10 years in the making and the technology is already over 10 years old. Seen one seen them all. The exteriors of carriages have been test run without passengers so much prior to opening they needed a wash. The indicator board inside the trains are so old they need an update on bus numbers and changes to bus numbers for example the Chatswood to Bondi Junction M40 bus was recently amended on 28th April 2019 to the 340 as not to be confused with the Metro line/Metro trains still shows M40 (whatever you would like to call it). I also wondered why Macquarie University Station did not have a B symbol above it as it is a major bus interchange like Chatswood and Castle Hill which both had a B symbol below them on the indicator board inside the trains above the doors. Another more critical glitch was on my way back stopping at North Ryde Station upon approaching the station the indicator inside the train kept flashing "Doors Closing" when the doors were closed and train was stationery or still moving and alternatively flashing "Doors Opening This Side" when the doors were still closed. This glitch repeatedly flashed over and over even when the train stopped, the doors finally opened when the train moved slightly forward with a prompt sharp jolt to align properly with each platform's glass gates. ( I had actually noticed that the train doors were not aligning with the platforms glass gates weeks before opening day whilst the trains were being tested without passengers in them to and from Chatswood and I had mentioned this to people back then - I believed it was at the Easter Show I mentioned it to a Metro Train staff member). This did delay the train a little back to Chatswood.
I posted on Facebook in advance that all I want to do this morning is get to Macquarie Shopping Centre to go shopping today without getting crushed! I have avoided travelling out there since buses replaced trains as it was too slow and too cumbersome to get on and off the bus and walk to the station or shopping centre with multiple loads of heavy shopping.
First train leaves Chatswood at 11.05 am this morning and it is free but bare in mind travel on other lines is capped at Sunday rates of $2.70.
I think the first Metroline train actually departed earlier then 11.05 am this morning but the one I got on was close enough to that departure time. If I had just gone with my original instinct and queued up at Chatswood Station earlier instead of stopping off to get breakfast from McDonalds and stopping at Woolworths to get a snack for the train trip, I would have got a better glance at Gladys arriving at Chatswood before disappearing and leaving train officers to deal with the huge amount of crowds (and chaos) wanting to take a ride on the new Sydney Metro Train Line and back AND gotten on an earlier even first train! Thanks for the chaos Gladys!
Below is a timeline of the crowds at Chatswood - every man and his dog must have been at Chatswood Station today! So glad I queued up as early as I decided to as the trains were running a bit slower then scheduled and there were a few minor glitches.
The crowds at Chstswood Station waiting to get a ride on the first Metroline train. Gates now closed and people have to line up on the Concourse outside of gates. Gladys arrives.
9.55 am
10.15 am
10.40 am
10.45 am - have progresses in the queue but the first Metro train is full so have to wait for next one or was that the one after that!?
11.45 am arrive at Tallawong Station for the train trip back to Macquarie Centre. No need to get off - no don't get off you will never get back on! Stay on the terminating train back to Chatswood. Indicator board says it is 37 minutes to Chatswood. Yep it took a little longer to arrive at Tallawong Station. I had a seat but gave it up half way to Tallawong to an elderly lady - standing for 45 minutes or so on the train would be very uncomfortable - it was uncomfortable enough standing for half that time with a back pack and wheelie suitcase - my test of how awkward it is travelling on the train - very awkward, in the way of prams passing, toppling over etc...
The train approaching Chatswood Station
Interior of the train
Macquarie University Station where I alighted to go shopping at Macquarie Shopping Centre around noon. I thought I was not going to be able to alight the train it was so crowded.
The crowds at Chatswood Station Chatswood Concourse and Chatswood Mall between 4pm and 5 pm.
It really is a 47 minute one way trip rather then a 37 minute trip. Sometimes indicator boards did not pick up the trains progress. I alighted at Macquarie University but it was a struggle after shopping hopping back on the train back to Chatswood which was just 3 stops - the trains were still crowded with standing room only. Yup smelly people and germs should have put my mask back on for the return journey which I wore for the entire Chatswood to Tallawong journey. I wasn't the only person with the mask idea.
Arrive back at Chatswood between 4 and 5 pm. By now the station was full of people - it was difficult to figure out where the queues of people started or ended to board or alight the Sydney Metro Train Line. I followed what others did headed straight up to the balcony outside Woolworths above to take photos to post on social media.
So glad I am not queuing up so late in the day - good luck to the people trying to catch the train further north or into the city for VIVID tonight - my tip take the 340 bus to Town Hall or 343 bus to Central from Chatswood bus interchange or if travelling to Macquarie University or Epping catch the SL1 replacement buses still running as back up buses from the back of Chatswood Interchange. The SL1 replacement buses to and from Chatswoid /Epping are still running all day on Sunday but will cease operation once the Sydney Metro Train Line Opening Day is over.
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