Melbourne’s Public Transport Overhaul: Metro Tunnel & New Trains Go Live
A $15 billion Metro Tunnel, 1,200 extra weekly services, and the first X'Trapolis 2.0 trains have launched, reshaping Melbourne’s rail network.
The Metro Tunnel is now fully operational, marking the centerpiece of a major network restructuring that began Sunday, February 1, 2026. First announced in 2015, the tunnel connects five new stations and aims to reduce congestion across the city.
Key Line Changes
-
Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham Lines: These lines now run through the Metro Tunnel, adding approximately 1,000 weekly services. Most stations operate on a "turn up and go" schedule, with trains arriving at least every 10 minutes all day. During peak hours, services run every 4.5 to 5 minutes. These trains no longer stop at Armadale, Toorak, Hawksburn, South Yarra, Richmond, North Melbourne, or stations in the City Loop. Passengers needing City Loop stations must interchange at other locations.
-
Frankston Line: All services have returned to the City Loop, operating via Parliament, Melbourne Central, Flagstaff, Southern Cross, and Flinders Street. Trains no longer extend to Werribee or Williamstown.
-
Werribee and Williamstown Lines: Services now start and end at Flinders Street Station. A temporary timetable is in place until late April due to level crossing removal works. The government plans to later integrate these lines with the Sandringham line to form a new cross-city service around Port Phillip Bay.
-
Craigieburn and Upfield Lines: New timetables are in effect. Further service increases, including additional evening and weekend trips, are scheduled for later in the year, which will reduce maximum wait times from 40 minutes to 20 minutes.
-
Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Hurstbridge, and Mernda Lines: These lines did not see immediate changes with the new timetable.
New X'Trapolis 2.0 Train Introduction
The first X'Trapolis 2.0 train began passenger service on the Upfield line on Sunday, May 2, 2026. The state government has ordered 75 of these trains at a combined cost of over $2.27 billion to replace the aging Comeng fleet on the Upfield, Craigieburn, and Frankston lines.
"The biggest differences for the X'Trapolis 2.0 are comfort, accessibility, and reliability." — Ben Phyland, Head of rolling stock and ticketing
Train Specifications
- Capacity: The new trains have 423 seats and a capacity of 1,225 passengers, compared to the Comeng's 420 seats and 1,135 capacity.
- Interior Design: Seats are closer together with higher backs. Aisle width has been increased to 80 cm (from 50 cm) to allow two people to stand side by side with room for a third to pass. Seats are fixed to the side of the carriage, creating under-seat storage.
- Accessibility: Large door areas include fold-down seats, 20 wheelchair spaces, and mixed-use spaces for prams and bicycles. Doors are wider and open with a push button; the override feature that locked doors after early button presses has been removed.
- Features: The train is a continuous set allowing passengers to walk end-to-end. Other features include clearer passenger information displays, audio announcements, and air suspension.
Reliability and Deployment
The Comeng trains (built 1979–1986) experience a fault every 15,000–20,000 km. The X'Trapolis 2.0 is expected to run 70,000 km between faults. The first 25 trains are expected to enter service over the next 18 months, with all Comeng trains potentially replaced by 2030. Assembly occurs at Alstom's factories in Ballarat and Dandenong.
Timetable Development
Stuart Johns, executive director of modal planning at the Department of Transport, stated that the new timetables were developed over more than three years, involving "hundreds if not thousands of iterations." The process used the Victorian Integrated Transport Model, a computer program that forecasts demand based on patronage and population data to inform planning over five-year periods. Human feedback, including community needs for specific appointments, also contributes to timetable design beyond algorithmic recommendations.
Operational Performance and Early Experiences
First Monday Morning Peak
Most services were reported to run on time. A Metro Trains spokesman stated that 99 percent of services through the tunnel ran on time that morning. One train departed Arden station without stopping due to a door fault.
Commuter experiences varied. Some passengers reported reduced travel times, including a traveler from Caulfield to Parkville saving 15 minutes. Others experienced longer journeys; a commuter traveling from Cranbourne to Collingwood faced a new three-train journey, adding an estimated 25 minutes to his trip. At Caulfield station, congestion and confusion were observed as passengers navigated new platforms, though station staff provided guidance.
Power Fault Incident
On Tuesday evening, an overhead power fault at Armadale halted services on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines, disrupting thousands of peak-hour commuters. Approximately 600 passengers were stuck on two trains for up to two hours without air-conditioning in 30-degree Celsius heat before being evacuated and walked along the tracks to the nearest station. Services through the Metro Tunnel were suspended for the remainder of Tuesday night.
"The 600 passengers on the stranded trains deserve better." — Raymond O'Flaherty, Metro Trains CEO
O'Flaherty defended the evacuation time, explaining the complexity of the situation between two stations on a live track with active adjacent lines and fallen electrical wires, prioritizing passenger safety. Passengers were redirected to alternative City Loop trains and replacement buses. Premier Jacinta Allan also apologized to commuters, confirming that investigations are underway.
Passenger Information Issues
During the disruption, passenger information displays reportedly continued to show trains running as normal for up to 40 minutes after lines were shut down, leading to confusion. Staff were observed verbally directing passengers.
Statements from Officials and Groups
- Tricia Malowney (Chief accessibility advocate) said design changes improve accessibility for people with disabilities, the elderly, and parents with prams.
- Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association spokesman) stated that fleet modernization should improve passenger experience and network reliability. He also noted that while many lines see increased services, eastern and north-eastern suburbs, including areas beyond Ringwood and lines like Mernda and Hurstbridge, will not see immediate benefits.
- Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams stated that February 1 marks "just the beginning," emphasizing that the Metro Tunnel was built to create network space for ongoing service expansion.
- Metro Trains CEO Raymond O'Flaherty indicated that compensation for passengers affected by the Tuesday disruption would be considered in the coming weeks.
Passenger Advice
Passengers are advised to use the Transport Victoria website or app to plan their journeys due to the significant changes to the rail network. Town Hall is the only Metro Tunnel station open during night network hours, while Parkville Station will be closed overnight.
Over 270 bus and coach timetables have been updated in regional Victoria and Melbourne's inner-north, with further changes planned for outer and middle suburbs later this year.