Melbourne Metro Tunnel timetable set for February “Big Switch”

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel timetable has now been locked in, with the Victorian Government setting out a major increase in services across key corridors, as outlined by the Victorian Government. The new schedule brings more than 1,000 extra weekly services to the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Metro Tunnel “Big Switch” set for Sunday, February 1

The shift to the new operating pattern — the Metro Tunnel “Big Switch” — is due to take place on Sunday, February 1. From that day, the timetable comes into effect and the tunnel is fully integrated into Victoria’s wider train network, with the broader rollout also covered by Railway Supply. Passengers are being encouraged to check the timetable and plan ahead, as the way many commuters travel around Melbourne is set to change.

Once the switch happens, all services on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run exclusively through the new tunnel.

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Turn-up-and-go network and peak frequencies

The government says the aim is a turn-up-and-go network, with trains arriving at each new Metro Tunnel station as often as every three minutes in peak periods.

In addition, services will run at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong in both directions from 6am to 9pm through the Metro Tunnel.

City Loop changes and extra services for regional lines

The Big Switch also marks the Frankston line returning to the City Loop, improving access to the CBD for thousands of passengers on one of Melbourne’s busiest lines, as reported by Rail Express.

The Werribee and Williamstown lines will temporarily run directly to Flinders Street, before connecting with the Sandringham line later in the year to form a new cross-city service.

Beyond the metropolitan network, regional passengers are set to benefit from additional services, supporting better access to the five new stations. The timetable includes 18 additional services on the Traralgon Line, 10 new services along the Seymour Line and four new services on the Echuca Line. More services are also planned from the middle of 2026, including on the Werribee, Sandringham, Craigieburn and Upfield lines.

Since the tunnel opened on November 30, more than 500,000 passengers have visited the new Metro Tunnel stations and trains, travelling more than 64,000 kilometres through the tunnel. Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said more than one thousand extra services will be added from February, describing it as the biggest change to the network in 40 years.

PTAANZ Chief Executive Lauren Streifer said the Big Switch is a win for commuters and communities across Melbourne. She said 1,000 new weekly services would support more seamless interchange between more trains, buses and trams, bringing greater access to opportunities, more fun in the city, and faster journeys home — even if it takes time to get used to the changes.

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