To host the Olympics SOCOG knew they would have to be able to transport thousands of people in and out of Homebush Bay, the main Olympic venue, every hour of every day during the course of the games. The State Government decided the only way to achieve this was to build a heavy rail station right in the middle of Olympic Park, within walking distance of Stadium Australia, the Aquatic Centre, the Showground and all the other major facilities located there.

When the station was designed, the specifications said it would be able to transport 35,000 people per hour. Since then on numerous occasions it has transported close to or over 50,000 people an hour! It was designed so as to try and get people off the actual platform as soon as possible after leaving the train. This was achieved by building a concourse that runs the full length of the platform, with multiple sets of stairs leading to it. The concourse is at ground level to allow an easy crowd flow during major events. One train will arrive at the station every 2 minutes during the 2000 Games.