The Victorian Government has confirmed the Metro Tunnel’s Big Switch timetable, adding more than 1,000 new weekly train services across Melbourne’s rail network.
From 1 February, the Big Switch will fully integrate the Metro Tunnel into the existing network, triggering thousands of coordinated timetable changes across train and bus services to improve connections, frequency and reliability.
All services on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run exclusively through the new tunnel, with around 1,000 new weekly services added to create a turn-up-and-go network.
During peak periods, trains will arrive at new Metro Tunnel stations as often as every three minutes, while services will run at least every ten minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong in both directions between 6.00am and 9.00pm.
The timetable change will also see Frankston line services return to the City Loop, improving access to the CBD for passengers on one of Melbourne’s busiest corridors.
The Werribee and Williamstown lines will temporarily run directly to Flinders Street before connecting with the Sandringham line later in the year to form a new cross-city service.
Regional services will also be boosted, with 18 additional services on the Traralgon Line, ten on the Seymour Line and four on the Echuca Line to improve access to the five new Metro Tunnel stations.
Further service increases across the network are planned from mid-year, including on the Werribee, Sandringham, Craigieburn and Upfield lines.
Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, said the changes represented the biggest shift in the network in decades.
“Passengers will be able to enjoy more of the benefits of the Metro Tunnel with more than 1,000 extra services being added from February in the biggest change to our network in 40 years,” Williams said.
Since opening in November, more than 500,000 passengers have travelled through the new Metro Tunnel stations, with trains running more than 64,000 kilometres through the tunnel.
