UPDATE: The highly anticipated Metro Tunnel is set to launch in early December, bringing a significant boost to Sunbury Line travelers with hundreds of additional weekly services. Starting from December 1, 2023, commuters will benefit from new, more frequent train services operating through five new underground stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac.
The new timetable will see services operating every 20 minutes on weekdays between 10 AM and 3 PM, running from Westall on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines to West Footscray on the Sunbury line. On weekends, trains will maintain this frequency until 7 PM, with services from East Pakenham every 40 minutes and from Sunbury every 60 minutes.
The Victorian government has confirmed that this expansion will result in more than 240 extra services per week for customers on the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines. Existing services will continue as usual throughout December, allowing passengers to seamlessly connect to the Metro Tunnel at major interchange points, including Footscray and Caulfield stations.
Premier Jacinta Allan expressed excitement about the upcoming changes, stating, “Christmas is coming early for everyone on the Pakenham, Cranbourne, and Sunbury lines, who’ll have hundreds of new services every week from the start of December.” She emphasized the importance of the Metro Tunnel project, noting how Victorians have waited patiently for this infrastructure development.
Looking ahead, a complete overhaul of Victoria’s train network is scheduled for February 1, 2024. This significant shift will introduce thousands of timetable changes, resulting in over 1,000 new weekly train services that are set to transform travel across the region. Notably, from February, the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines will operate exclusively through the Metro Tunnel, providing a “turn-up-and-go” network. Trains will run at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong stations during peak hours, with arrivals as frequent as every three to four minutes.
In addition to train services, timetable changes will also extend to buses, trams, and other regional and metropolitan networks, ensuring a comprehensive upgrade to public transportation in Victoria.
With these developments, commuters can expect a significant enhancement in the efficiency and convenience of their travel, making the upcoming holiday season brighter for many. Keep an eye out for further updates as the launch date approaches, and prepare for a revolution in public transport across Victoria!
