Melbourne‘s Metro Tunnel Opens for Commuters, First Services Run Through New Stations
Melbourne, Australia – December 1, 2025 – Melbourne’s highly anticipated Metro tunnel officially opened for weekday service this morning, ushering in a new era for the city’s public transport network. The first trains departed through the new stations – Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac – at approximately 6:00 AM AEDT, substantially increasing capacity on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines.
The opening of the Metro Tunnel marks the culmination of a major infrastructure project designed to address Melbourne’s growing population and alleviate congestion on the existing rail network.The new twin tunnels, running nine kilometers beneath the city center, will allow for more frequent trains and a more reliable service for hundreds of thousands of commuters. The project has been years in the making, and its completion represents a considerable investment in Melbourne’s future.
Among the first to experience the new stations was John Cahir, who travelled through each of the five new stations starting at Town Hall. “We’ll visit the five stations and then walk up to Brunetti’s in Carlton from Arden,” Cahir said. “It’s fabulous.”
The Metro Tunnel project involved the construction of five new stations, each designed with accessibility and passenger comfort in mind. arden Station, located in North Melbourne, will serve a rapidly developing area and provide a vital link for residents and businesses. Parkville Station will cater to the needs of students, staff, and visitors to the University of Melbourne and surrounding hospitals. State Library Station offers direct access to the State Library of Victoria and cultural institutions along Swanston Street.Town Hall Station connects to the city’s bustling retail and theatre district,while Anzac station provides a convenient interchange with tram and bus routes.
The Victorian Government anticipates the Metro Tunnel will free up capacity on the existing lines,enabling more frequent services on other key routes across the network. Further upgrades and expansions are planned to integrate the new infrastructure with the broader public transport system, ensuring Melbourne remains a connected and thriving city.
