Melbourne steps into a new transport era today as the long-anticipated Metro Tunnel finally opens — twelve months earlier than planned — delivering the most dramatic shift in the city’s rail network in more than four decades.
From this morning, passengers can step into five architecturally distinct new underground stations — Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac — and make the once time-consuming journey from St Kilda Road to North Melbourne in about 12 minutes. The new spine connecting the Sunbury and Pakenham–Cranbourne lines effectively doubles the size of Melbourne’s underground rail system.
Tens of thousands of curious commuters are expected to turn out on day one, eager to experience the first trains running through the almost 100-kilometre end-to-end route between Sunbury and East Pakenham. The opening coincides with the launch of the Summer Start timetable, which will deliver more than 240 additional weekly services across the east–west corridor.
To celebrate the moment, public transport will be free every weekend until 1 February — an invitation for families, train enthusiasts and everyday travellers to explore the new stations without touching their Myki.
Today’s festivities will bring a carnival-like atmosphere to parts of the network, with roving performers — from ballerinas to jugglers to live musicians — popping up across the five new stations as well as stops along the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Organisers warn that opening day will be busy and encourage passengers to allow extra time.
Souvenirs, including themed newspapers, sweets, station flags and limited-edition enamel pins, are expected to be snapped up quickly. Free coffees and cookies will be offered at East Pakenham and Sunbury stations, adding to the celebratory mood.
The summer ahead will include a Metro Tunnel Passport activity running from 12 to 25 January, allowing passengers to collect stamps from each new station and redeem a special prize. A scavenger hunt across landmarks connected to the new route will run during the same period, with more details to come.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams called today “a big day for Victoria”, noting that the early opening positions the city for a future of more frequent and reliable rail services.
She said the project had faced years of political resistance but now stands as a transformative achievement: “Melbourne’s underground rail system has doubled in size, and we’re ready to run more trains, more often for a growing state.”
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