Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel to open in December with phased timetable
After months of anticipation, Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed the long-awaited Metro Tunnel will begin passenger services in early December. The cross-city rail project, valued at about $15 billion, will gradually ramp up operations, starting with a limited timetable designed to test the new line before a fuller schedule is rolled out in 2025.
What the initial service will look like
During the early “summer start” period, trains will operate every 20 minutes, but only during off-peak hours. Commuters should expect the following pattern in the first weeks of operation:
- Weekdays: Trains through the tunnel from Westall and West Footscray every 20 minutes between 10am and 3pm.
- Weekends: Trains every 20 minutes from 10am to 7pm, with services extending to East Pakenham every 40 minutes and Sunbury every 60 minutes.
This cautious rollout is intended to ensure the nine-kilometre cross-city link operates smoothly as the new tunnels and stations settle into routine.
Full timetable expected in February
A full timetable will come into effect on February 1. While the government has not released the exact February schedule, officials have indicated a significant improvement in service frequency compared with the initial phase. The plan envisages:
- Trains running at least every 10 minutes from 6am to 10pm between Watergardens and Dandenong.
- Rush hour frequencies of every three to four minutes during peak periods.
- Frankston trains returning to the City Loop when the full timetable is implemented.
The February timetable represents a major upgrade from the December start, reflecting the project’s aim to incorporate more lines and stations into the cross-city service pattern.
What changes for commuters beyond the tunnel
Officials stressed that improvements would not be limited to metro services alone. The government also pledged better timetables for buses, trams, and V/Line services, signaling an integrated approach to Victoria’s public transport network in the wake of the Metro Tunnel’s opening.
Premier Allan highlighted the phased strategy as the best way to ensure reliability once the tunnel is fully integrated with existing networks. “The best way to make sure everything runs well is to open the tunnel and run the services first and then make the big timetable switch,” she said. “This summer start period will allow us to verify operations and address any issues before the comprehensive timetable comes into effect.”
Operational highlights and construction milestones
The Andrews Labor government first announced the nine-kilometre cross-city rail tunnel in 2015. The project will connect the Sunbury and Pakenham/Cranbourne lines, with five new inner-city underground stations. Over the weekend, Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams and Premier Allan announced that two CBD stations—Town Hall (linking to Flinders Street) and State Library (linking to Melbourne Central)—have reached completion, marking a significant milestone in the CBD construction phase.
As Melbourne braces for December’s opening, agencies are keen to manage expectations around early limitations while prioritizing safety and reliability during the ramp-up. The gradual timetable approach is designed to ensure the Metro Tunnel delivers the anticipated benefits—a faster, more efficient route through the city—as more trains and connections come online in the months ahead.
Keep informed
For daily updates and a plan of the revised timetable, sign up for briefings from Transport Victoria and monitor official announcements as February’s full timetable approaches.
