MELBOURNE’s Metro Tunnel opened fully to commuter services on February 1, following a soft launch in December.
Under the state of Victoria’s Big Switch programme, commuter services have been comprehensively recast to take advantage of the new 9km double-track line beneath the city centre that connect lines to the north and south.
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, and minister for public and active transport, Gabrielle Williams, launched the start of full operations at a ceremony at Parkville station on the northern section of the Metro Tunnel.
Trains are now operating through the Metro Tunnel at 3-4 minute headways in the peaks, and at 10-minute intervals off peak, with over 1200 services added to the Metro Train timetable every week.
“More train services mean a better transport system, less time in traffic and more time at home,” says Allan.
