The Metro Tunnel will open earlier than expected.
The date has been set for 30 November with the Summer Start program to also kick off, offering free public transport every weekend in Victoria until Sunday 1 February.
“The Metro Tunnel will open early in November, starting a new era for our city and state, Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“The Metro Tunnel sets Victoria up for the future – slashing travel times, taking pressure off the City Loop and paving the way for more trains, more often, right across our network.”
Full accreditation has been granted by the National Rail Safety Regulator with the final countdown now on until the official opening.
High-capacity signalling has been rolled out across the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines, unlocking fast, frequent, turn-up-and-go services.
As part of the Summer Start, more than 240 extra services will run along the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury corridor every day through the five new stations – Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac – on top of existing services.
In addition to existing services through the City Loop, services will run through the Metro Tunnel every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm on weekdays, and from 10am to 7pm on weekends between Westall and West Footscray, with some weekend services extending to East Pakenham and Sunbury.
The state government said big crowds are expected on opening day with passengers encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to enjoy the celebrations.
“Opening day will be something Victoria has never seen before. We’re expecting huge crowds as Victorians step onto the platforms for the very first time – taking in the incredible architecture, the art, the scale and the atmosphere of a world-class rail system built for our future,” Suburban Rail Loop Minister Harriet Shing said.
From 1 February, the Big Switch will fully integrate the Metro Tunnel into the network.
The Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run exclusively through the Metro Tunnel, supported by a new timetable and more than 1,000 extra weekly services.
A new timetable will be in place across the state as well, including buses, trams, regional and metropolitan trains.
