Enhancing the Sydney Metro City Line

190 new TKE units key part of “transformative” Australia project. 

images courtesy of TKE

Düsseldorf, Germany-headquartered TK Elevator (TKE) announced in October 2024 another prominent infrastructure project as the vertical-transportation (VT) technology and service provider for the newly inaugurated Sydney Metro City Line, one of Australia’s biggest public transport initiatives. Featuring 190 new TKE elevator and escalator units, the landmark project is set to revolutionize how commuters travel across Sydney. The new Sydney Metro City Line is one of the most prominent TKE projects in Australia.

The Sydney Metro City Line officially opened on August 19, 2024, seeing remarkable success with roughly 200,000 passenger journeys daily. The metro program, which includes the operational M1 line with three additional lines under construction, seeks to enhance efficiency throughout Australia’s biggest city, offering fast, reliable metro services with fully accessible stations. TKE’s mobility solutions support this objective by providing essential connectivity in the “last mile” of passengers’ journeys, allowing them to easily transition from the train to their final destinations. 

All TKE units and additional third-party units will be supported by TKE’s Universal Service platform that offers comprehensive service for timely maintenance, inspections and repairs. This provides a complete solution for the Sydney Metro, further enhancing a seamless passenger experience. TKE CEO Asia Pacific Jürgen Böhler said:

“TKE is excited to be a part of this transformative project in Australia. Our advanced mobility solutions play a pivotal role in prioritizing passenger safety and efficiency for metros and railway operators around the world. This proven track record allows us to make a real difference to the Sydney Metro City Line, highlighting our commitment to improving public transport.”

TKE Managing Director David Husoy added that the company is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the Sydney Metro as it strengthens its VT industry leadership in the Australian market. “We remain dedicated to serving all our customers and the country’s general public, invigorated by our pledge to keep the world moving,” Husoy said.  

Efficient and Sustainable Solutions for Australia’s Evolving Urban Infrastructure

The Sydney Metro City Line installation adds to TKE elevators and escalators serving top metro stations, airports, trains and urban transportation hubs worldwide. TKE will continue to contribute to this prominent project as the Sydney Metro expands further in 2025. The company will help ensure reliable and efficient mobility with newly installed and modernized equipment at the upcoming Southwest Line stations, acting as an integral piece in Sydney’s evolving transport landscape and strengthening TKE’s position as a leader in mobility products and services throughout the Asia-Pacific region.  

Any Brand, Any Place, Any Time: Universal Service by TK Elevator

Universal Service by TKE is an industry-leading support platform offering proactive, flexible and comprehensive elevator service coverage worldwide.

As an entrusted partner with a global network of approximately 25,000 highly trained technicians and more than 1,000 service centers across 100-plus countries, TKE ensures portfolio-wide uptime through a combination of remote and on-site support.

Third-party capabilities, powered by International Technical Services (ITS) globally, allow servicing any brand and various types of multi-brand VT equipment — such as elevators and escalators — to the highest industry standards. This ensures prompt assistance anywhere in the world. Throughout this process, TKE prioritizes personal safety and sustainability, minimizing environmental impact through equipment longevity and innovative logistics.

About the Escalator System

More than 65% — 126 — of the total TKE VT units serving the new Sydney Metro City Line are escalators. All are TKE heavy-duty victoria units especially designed for high-traffic applications both indoors or outdoors. TKE describes victoria as its most rugged escalator. The OEM shared specific features of the escalator units serving the metro line. They:

• Are 1,000-mm wide
• Outfitted with robust glass balustrades
• Have a four-step horizontal transition at the top and bottom
• For the Sydney Train units, have speeds of 0.5 and 0.65 m/s
• For the Sydney Metro units, have speeds of 0.5, 0.65 and 0.75 m/s
• Feature standby speed
• Have a rise of 2.15 m to 17.8 m
• Feature 1,500-mm high glass fall protection on 56 units
• Are outfitted with regenerative drives
• Are configured in groups of two, three, four and five