Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Metro Tunnel

Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (17:59): (1813) My adjournment matter tonight is directed to the Minister for Public and Active Transport in the other place. The Metro Tunnel is the most significant change to Melbourne’s rail network in decades, and importantly, it is ahead of schedule. The project will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable services, benefiting passengers right across the network. It will also open up new possibilities and choices for how people move across the city, making journeys shorter, simpler and more comfortable. Four of the five brand new Metro Tunnel stations – State Library, Parkville, Arden and Town Hall – are in the Northern Metropolitan Region. These stations will give people faster and more direct access to jobs, hospitals, universities and key cultural destinations while easing congestion at some of our busiest transport interchanges.

This coming weekend marks another important milestone – a full weekend of trial operations. These tests will simulate real-world conditions across the tunnel, running trains through the new stations, testing systems and making sure everything from passenger information to platform safety is operating as it should be. Previous trials have been completed, helping to identify and fine-tune the small but critical details that make the difference between a good service and a world-class one. This is about making sure the very first passengers who step aboard have the same smooth, safe and efficient experience they can expect for many years to come. It is a testament to the effort and dedication of the thousands of workers who have been part of this project, a true feat of engineering and collaboration. This government understands that investing in public transport is not just about moving people around; it is about building a better, more connected future for all Victorians. Increasing rail capacity will have a ripple effect, making the entire network more reliable, with much more frequent services, including on the Upfield line. From the students travelling from Coburg to the University of Melbourne, to the families from Craigieburn heading to the city for a day out, this tunnel will make a real difference to their daily lives. The action I seek tonight is for the minister to outline how the results of this weekend’s trial will inform the next stages of the Metro Tunnel.