Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel will enter a critical phase of testing this month, as project teams conduct another round of full-day operational trials on 16 and 17 August in preparation for the project’s planned opening later this year.
During the weekend exercise, high-capacity trains will run end-to-end between Sunbury and Pakenham East via the newly built Metro Tunnel, simulating future passenger services using the next-generation signalling system.
These turn-up-and-go services will run at higher frequency than the regular weekend timetable to stress-test the system under live conditions.
Although trains will travel through the Metro Tunnel, passengers will not be on board for the trial. Travellers on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines will need to change at Caulfield or Footscray to continue their journey into the city.
According to the Department of Transport and Planning, train displays and automated announcements will show tunnel-based destinations – such as Pakenham via Metro Tunnel – even though passengers must transfer at interchange points. Station staff will be deployed to manage the rerouting and assist passengers.
The trial aims to validate the performance of complex new systems, including high-capacity signalling, timetable integration, platform information displays, and network synchronisation with V/Line and freight operations.
“You can’t just flick a switch and then all of a sudden, the timetable is done,” said Shannon Rollinson, Director of Network Coordination and Operational Readiness.
“We’re introducing such a big and complex new asset into the metropolitan network… now we want to bring that all into real life and test it.”
In June, more than 3,400 kilometres of services were successfully run in a single day, and to date, test trains have covered over 197,000 kilometres through the twin tunnels.
The Metro Tunnel will connect the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines via five new underground stations, creating a continuous cross-city route and freeing up capacity in the City Loop. It is due to open by the end of 2025 – one year ahead of schedule.
