Melbourne’s rail network changes gear today as the new Metro Tunnel fully plugs into the system, triggering one of the biggest timetable overhauls the city has seen in decades.
From this morning, more than 1,200 extra weekly train services roll out across Victoria, with entire lines rerouted through the tunnel and thousands of individual timetable tweaks landing at once. Transport officials are calling it the Big Switch, but for commuters it is expected to mean shorter waits, simpler connections and some unfamiliar platforms.
The Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will now operate as a turn-up-and-go network, with all services running through the Metro Tunnel. During peak periods, trains will arrive as often as every three minutes between Dandenong and West Footscray. Outside peak, services will run at least every 10 minutes between the city and Watergardens from 6am to 9pm, and every 10 minutes between the city and Dandenong from 6am until midnight.
The Frankston Line returns to the City Loop, while the Werribee and Williamstown lines will temporarily run straight to Flinders Street before forming a new cross-city service with the Sandringham Line later this year.
Regional passengers also see gains, with 18 new weekly services added to the Traralgon line, 10 on the Seymour line and four on the Echuca line. New bus timetables begin rolling out to better link with tunnel services.
Premier Jacinta Allan said, “For busy families, time and money are tight. That’s why we’re making public transport faster, and that’s why we made it free for kids.”
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said, “The changes today will take time for passengers to get used to, but it’s worth it for a bigger, better, faster system.”
