Gladys Berejiklian Missing from Sydney Metro Opening Amidst Record-Breaking Ridership
Sydney's metro system made headlines recently as it celebrated a significant milestone: its 1 millionth passenger ride. However, amidst the fanfare and historic achievement, one notable figure was conspicuously absent from the celebration—Gladys Berejiklian, the former Premier of New South Wales.
On Saturday, Sydney's metro network, a $21.6 billion project designed to revolutionize the city's public transport, marked its grand debut. The opening event was attended by former Coalition Premiers Dominic Perrottet and Mike Baird, as well as current Premier Chris Minns. These leaders joined together to commemorate the success of the metro system, which includes 46 stations and 113 kilometers of new rail. The event was a testament to the scale and ambition of the project, which had taken seven years of construction and a year of testing to complete.
The absence of Berejiklian, who was a driving force behind the metro project during her time as Premier, did not go unnoticed. Premier Chris Minns noted that while Berejiklian had been invited to the event, she had “something else on.” Minns suggested that she would likely use the new service soon, though her no-show was a topic of discussion among attendees.
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Berejiklian, who served as Transport Minister, Treasurer, and Premier, played a pivotal role in bringing the metro project to fruition. Her vision was instrumental in the development of this extensive transport network, which now serves as a vital link across Sydney. Despite her absence from the celebration, Berejiklian expressed her congratulations to the workers who contributed to the project’s success. She acknowledged their hard work and dedication in a statement to the Herald.
The metro system’s debut was met with enthusiasm from the public, as evidenced by the record-breaking patronage. Within just five days of operation, the metro surpassed 1 million rides, peaking with 64,000 passengers on a single Friday evening. This impressive turnout underscores the high demand and excitement surrounding the new transport option.
Despite its success, the metro project has faced challenges. It is approximately $10 billion over budget, and the final section from Sydenham to Bankstown is expected to be delayed by at least a year. Nonetheless, former leaders like Perrottet and Baird defended the project's cost and complexity, drawing parallels to other iconic infrastructure projects such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Berejiklian's recent court loss may have also played a role in her decision to skip the opening. Last month, she failed in her bid to overturn findings from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which had accused her of serious corrupt conduct related to government grants during her tenure. Despite these legal challenges, Berejiklian has maintained that her service to the people of NSW was always with the utmost integrity.
In the end, while Berejiklian’s absence was a notable detail, the focus remained on the remarkable achievement of Sydney’s metro system and its impact on the city’s public transport landscape. The celebration highlighted the collaboration and effort that went into realizing this ambitious project, marking a new chapter in Sydney’s infrastructure history.
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