The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has welcomed the announcement that the Sydney Rapid Transit rail project will be renamed Sydney Metro, saying the new name will be easily understood by commuters and visitors familiar with world-class metro rail services around the world.

The NSW Government announced today that funding had been secured for the construction of the 66km high capacity rail line which will have two core components: Sydney Metro Northwest (36km) and Sydney Metro City & Southwest (30km).

TTF CEO Margy Osmond said the iconic name ‘Metro’ will distinguish the new rail project from the existing double-decker heavy rail network.

“Metro rail services are typified by single-deck trains with ‘turn up and go’ frequencies and many Australians will have experienced the efficiency of iconic metro-style services in cities like Paris, London and Hong Kong,” she said.

The new Sydney Metro, which will run from Rouse Hill in the north west through the CBD and on to Bankstown, will feature single deck carriages running without set timetables, with up to 15 trains an hour during peak periods. The single-deck carriages will feature three sets of doors to allow for rapid loading and unloading of passengers at stations along with other customer service innovations.

“Single-deck automated trains with a world-class signalling system will allow more trains to run and increase the capacity on the Sydney Metro line,” Ms Osmond said.

“Importantly, the Sydney Metro project will increase capacity across the existing rail network by adding a much needed new line through the CBD.

“The introduction of metro-style services alongside the heavy double-decker rail network will allow Sydney to develop a more sophisticated rail system better able to service Sydney’s growing population.

“We hope that the government’s first metro project will be the start of a broader metro network in the decades ahead.”

Ms Osmond said the Sydney Metro would enhance the visitor experience in Sydney.

“TTF believes that a well-functioning transport system is vital to the productivity of all economies, including Australia’s, and that better transport networks deliver enhance the productivity and liveability of our cities.”