Sydney's new driverless northwest Metro line has passed its first real test on Monday, serving some 63,000 commuters between the start of services and 8pm.
Trains along the new line between Rouse Hill and Chatswood generally ran smoothly on Monday morning, though a train at Cherrybrook station overshot the platform about 8:30am.
The hiccup wasn't as disruptive as a similar incident during Sunday's official opening that caused a 20-minute delay, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance saying it was a "normal" part of how driverless trains operate.
Just before 3.50pm on Monday afternoon, Sydney Metro said on Twitter that escalators and lifts at Castle Hill weren't working, but reported they were back up and running less than half an hour later.
The morning peak between 6am and 10am saw 20,447 trips recorded, while the afternoon peak between 3pm and 7pm saw 25,663 trips.
While Mr Constance said trains ran between five and six-minute intervals on average during the morning peak, some commuters said they only arrived every 10 minutes.
"#sydneymetro your definition of peak hours needs to start way before 8am. It's 7.43am at Epping and train every 10 mins is terrible. There is hardly any standing room on the train," Twitter user @allenpaul01 posted on Monday morning.
Others lauded the time saved during their morning commute.
"Normally have to get 3 buses (almost always stuck standing) but today I just got 1 train (and a seat!). Heaps quicker than bus," Ryan McFayden tweeted.
Twitter user @NandShalendra said they caught the metro in the afternoon peak.
"So far, impressive and managed to get a seat," they posted.
Twitter user @MercurialMattyV gave "full credit" to Sydney Metro for the first day.
"Worked perfectly both ways. So much better than the bus in my mind (the not having to deal with traffic part being key). Bring on day 2," they posted on Monday evening.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the positive feedback was "music to our ears".
"What I am most pleased about is that so many people were able to leave their cars at home," she said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the Metro performed well on its first full weekday.
"Overall, Metro services ran to schedule, customers adjusted well and sentiment was overwhelmingly positive," the spokeswoman said in a statement.
"Metro platforms cleared fast, interchanging at Chatswood was smooth and the rest of the integrated network including surrounding roads and Sydney Trains services operated as normal."
As with all railway projects of this scale, the system will be further refined, she said.
More than 20,000 people worked on the $7.3 billion project over eight years. Work is now underway to extend the line from Chatswood to Bankstown.
Later, another metro project will link greater Parramatta with the CBD.
Australian Associated Press
