Victorians will soon be able to travel through Melbourne’s long-awaited Metro Tunnel, which is set to open in early December – a full year ahead of schedule. The new underground rail link will connect the city from west to south-east, introducing hundreds of extra train services each week before a major network overhaul begins early next year.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams announced the upcoming Summer Start program, marking the first stage of the tunnel’s opening, followed by the Big Switch timetable integration on 1 February.
“The Metro Tunnel will transform Melbourne, cut congestion and get you to work, uni and home sooner – and it opens in early December, a year ahead of schedule,” Premier Allan said.
Summer Start Program in December
From early December, trains will begin running seven days a week through the new Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac underground stations.
Weekday services will run every 20 minutes between Westall (on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines) and West Footscray (on the Sunbury line) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. On weekends, trains will operate every 20 minutes between Westall and West Footscray until 7:00 pm, every 40 minutes from East Pakenham, and every 60 minutes from Sunbury.
This launch adds more than 240 new weekly services, while existing City Loop services will continue as normal. Passengers can transfer between Metro Tunnel and City Loop trains at interchange points such as Caulfield, Footscray, Flinders Street, and Melbourne Central without having to tap on or off again.
Premier Allan said the early opening would give passengers a head start on the new system.
“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.
“Victorians have patiently waited for this tunnel to get built underneath their feet and behind big sheds, and now they’ll be able to use it,” she added.
The government said opening the tunnel before the major timetable change would allow it to operate immediately after safety approval, providing an opportunity to test new systems under real-world conditions. According to Minister Williams, this staged approach will help ensure a smooth transition: “The Summer Start is how we’re opening the tunnel safer, smoother and sooner.”
Commuters can expect faster cross-city trips, with end-to-end travel through the tunnel taking around 12 minutes. The project will also provide direct access to Melbourne’s hospitals, universities, and the St Kilda Road precinct.
The Big Switch in February
On 1 February, the state’s entire train network will undergo a major timetable change, known as the Big Switch, fully integrating the Metro Tunnel into the rail system.
On that day, all Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham line services will run exclusively through the new tunnel. The overhaul will introduce 1,000 additional weekly train services, with trains running at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong from 6:00am to 9:00pm. During peak hours, trains will arrive every three to four minutes.
The Big Switch will also bring Frankston line services back to the City Loop, improving CBD access for thousands of passengers. Bus, tram, and regional train timetables will also be adjusted to match the new system.
Minister Williams said passengers would have plenty of time to understand how their travel will change. “We’re going to spend months communicating with passengers in the lead up to and after the Big Switch, so they know how their journey will change and improve,” she said.
A Landmark Rail Transformation
The Metro Tunnel represents the most significant expansion of Melbourne’s train network in over 40 years. By diverting three major train lines away from the City Loop, the project aims to free up capacity, reduce congestion, and improve reliability across the system.
“The Metro Tunnel will cut congestion and get you to work, uni and home sooner,” Premier Allan said. “What an incredible moment for our state.”
Learn more about the Metro Tunnel Project here: https://go.vic.gov.au/3Nt2Wn9
