Nov. 05, 2026Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni, through NRT Pty Ltd. (hereinafter, “NRT”), in which Marubeni holds an equity interest, has been involved in the implementation of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project in New South Wales, Australia and the operations of the Southwest section (from Sydenham to Bankstown Stations) began on October 30, 2026. With the commencement of operations on the Southwest section, the city-shaping M1 Metro North West & Bankstown Line (hereinafter, “M1 Line”), including the City section (from Chatswood to Sydenham Stations) which commenced in August 2024, is complete, bringing fast, modern metro services to Sydney’s southwest for the first time.
Background and Significance The Sydney Metro M1 Line comprises the Northwest section (which opened in 2019, from Tallawong to Chatswood Stations) and the City & Southwest section. NRT has participated in the Sydney Metro Northwest project since 2014, having been awarded the Public-Private Partnership (hereinafter, “PPP”) concession by the New South Wales Government. The City & Southwest project is an extension of the Northwest section, for which NRT was awarded the PPP concession in 2019. As part of the project, NRT has undertaken the supply of metro trains as well as signalling, central control, and communications systems, together with testing and commissioning. Following the full opening of the line, NRT will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the entire M1 Line, including the Northwest section, until 2034. Following the opening of the City section in 2024, daily passenger journeys had reached up to approximately 250,000. With the opening of the Southwest section, this figure is expected to increase to approximately 300,000. With the opening of the entire M1 Line, a range of social and economic benefits to Sydney’s southwest are expected, including improved access to education and employment opportunities, and urban regeneration along the route.
Project Overview The newly opened Southwest section involved the conversion of part of an existing suburban railway line into a modern, automated metro system. During peak periods, service frequency has increased from eight trains per hour under the previous suburban railway service to 15 trains per hour, or one train every four minutes, significantly enhancing transport capacity and passenger convenience. Together with the Northwest section, the full opening completes the 66-kilometre M1 Line comprising 31 stations. This enables direct service via central Sydney and extends the coverage of fast, high-frequency metro services into Sydney’s southwest.
Future Outlook Marubeni has continued to engage in infrastructure PPP projects in Australia through its equity participation in the Sydney Metro Northwest and City & Southwest projects, as well as the Gold Coast light rail project*. Marubeni will continue to draw on the knowledge and experience it has accumulated to date to contribute to the infrastructure sector.
*In 2019, Marubeni’s shares in NRT in relation to Sydney Metro Northwest project and GoldlinQ Holdings Pty Ltd., which operates the Gold Coast light rail system, were acquired by the MM Capital Infrastructure Fund I, L.P., an infrastructure fund managed by MM Capital Partners Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Marubeni.
＜Route Map: M1 Line (supplied by Sydney Metro)＞
Related Press Releases August 20, 2024 Opening of a Section of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest Line in New South Wales, Australia https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2024/info/00037.html
December 5, 2019 Award of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest Line PPP Project in New South Wales, Australia https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2019/release/201912051E.pdf
Reference Scope – Project Introduction Video #34 | Sydney Metrohttps://www.marubeni.com/en/brand_media/scope/sydneymetro/
