Australia opens Melbourne Metro Tunnel to public, Largest rail expansion in four decades

(Representative Image)

Melbourne, Australia (Metro Rail Today): Australia marked a landmark moment in its public transport history on Sunday as Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel opened to passengers for the first time, delivering the city’s most significant rail network expansion since the City Loop began operations in 1981.

Limited passenger services began running through the nine-kilometre twin tunnels and five newly built underground stations beneath the central business district (CBD). Eager commuters queued for hours to board the first trains, signalling strong public anticipation for the long-awaited project.

The Metro Tunnel project effectively doubles the size of Melbourne’s underground rail network. First announced in 2015, construction officially started in 2017, tunnelling commenced in 2019, and the final investment reached nearly 15 billion Australian dollars (about USD 9.8 billion).

A Game-Changer for Melbourne’s Rail Connectivity

The new tunnel links the Sunbury line in the northwest directly to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the southeast via the CBD. By diverting these busy routes away from the City Loop, the Victorian Government aims to reduce congestion and increase efficiency across the network.

According to officials, the Metro Tunnel will enable over 1,000 additional train services every week once full operations begin in February 2026, offering a major boost to capacity and commuter convenience.

Speaking in Sunbury, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the opening “a significant milestone” that will shape Melbourne’s transport future. She said the unprecedented scale of the project highlights the need for long-term investments in rail as the city’s population continues to grow.

Reacting to the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said:

“The opening of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel is a defining moment not just for Victoria but for global urban transit. It shows how transformative infrastructure can reshape mobility, cut congestion, and support sustainable urban growth. Such mega-projects set a benchmark for other rapidly expanding cities.”

She added that the tunnel’s seamless integration of multiple corridors is a model for next-generation metro systems worldwide.

Future Integration with Airport Rail

The tunnel will eventually serve trains operating on the Melbourne Airport Rail, construction for which is expected to start in early 2026. Once complete, this linkage will offer direct, high-capacity connectivity between the CBD and Melbourne Airport, further enhancing the metro’s strategic importance.