Melbourne is getting an early Christmas present, with the long-awaited Metro Tunnel being “soft launched” in early December – a year ahead of schedule, delivering hundreds of new weekly train services and faster cross-city connections.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams announced the milestone alongside details of the “Summer Start” program, which will kick off the tunnel’s launch ahead of a major timetable overhaul, dubbed “The Big Switch,” on 1 February.
“Christmas is coming early for everyone on the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Sunbury lines, who’ll have hundreds of new services every week from the start of December,” Premier Allan said.
“The Metro Tunnel will transform Melbourne, cut congestion and get you to work, uni and home sooner,” she said.
From early December, trains will run seven days a week through all five new underground stations – Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac – offering more than 240 extra services weekly between Westall and West Footscray. The new stations are all now officially completed, awaiting the opening of the tunnel.
Weekday trains will arrive every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm, with weekend services every 20 to 60 minutes depending on the line.
The “Summer Start” phase will allow trains to operate under real-world conditions, ensuring a smooth and safe transition before the February integration of the entire network.
Then, on 1 February, “The Big Switch” will fully connect the Metro Tunnel to Melbourne’s wider rail system. Over 1,000 new weekly services will launch, with trains running every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong from 6am to 9pm and every three to four minutes during peak times.
The Metro Tunnel marks the biggest transformation of Melbourne’s rail network in more than 40 years. By the time the tunnel opens to passengers, the full project will have taken about a decade from start to finish – making it one of Victoria’s largest and longest-running transport infrastructure builds.
