Just over 15 years ago, when plans for a metro line to the far stretches of north-western Sydney existed only in planning documents and government notices, one Sydney father was paying closer attention than most.
Nick Wagener’s twin daughters, Imogen and Elly, were not even born, but as he inspected open homes across Sydney with his wife, he was calculating how they might commute to Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney.
Elly and Imogen Wagener enjoy the ride to school on the metro, thanks to their parents’ foresight. Credit: James Brickwood
“We bought [our house] on the basis the metro was being built. That was part of the decision-making,” he said.
“My wife wanted the girls to go to Monte because my wife went to Monte.”
Over the years, exactly when and where a metro line would go changed. But fortunately for the Wageners, the north-west metro opened the same year his daughters began high school. To get from Kellyville to North Sydney now takes 42 minutes.
The North Sydney area has a high concentration of private, comprehensive and selective schools, and principals say that thanks to the opening of the metro line, more students from further afield are enrolling.
North Sydney Boys’ High reports more students are coming from the north-west.Credit: North Sydney Boys/Facebook
“It has really drastically reduced travel time for our students, it is safe, it is on time, it is efficient, and it connects students to other transport hubs,” Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College principal Nicole Christensen said.
North Sydney Boys principal Brian Ferguson said parents were turning down independent schools due to the metro.
