Test trains in the Metro Tunnel Project travelled further than the distance to London and back in only 10 days.
In a massive win for Melbourne’s public transport revolution, the Metro Tunnel project has crushed its latest round of trials, clocking up an impressive 35,000 kilometers across more than 2,600 test runs. The mammoth testing phase, spanning 10 days, has the ambitious project tracking for an ahead-of-schedule opening later this year.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Acting Transport Infrastructure Minister Melissa Horne dropped by Anzac Station to spruik the successful completion of 160 hours of ‘dress rehearsal’ operations.
Melbourne Tunnel Project
- The Metro Tunnel ran 2600 tests, totaling to 35,000 kilometres in 10 days
- Testing success sets up for new station openings ahead-of-schedule this year
- Trials ran on the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines between Hawksburn and West Footscray
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The trials saw trains running between Hawksburn and West Footscray through the fresh tunnels, with services hitting frequencies of eight to 12 per hour on the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines.
Metro’s already got another 46 drivers trained up on the slick new High Capacity Metro Trains, bringing the total cohort of qualified drivers to around 200. But they’re not done yet – the frequency’s set to ramp up as crews get more comfortable with the tunnel’s cutting-edge tech.
The testing schedule’s packed with over 100 ‘real life scenario’ exercises still to come, from manually operating those fancy platform screen doors to full-blown evacuation drills. Meanwhile, construction crews are putting the finishing touches on Town Hall and State Library stations, both nestled deep beneath Melbourne’s CBD.
This monster project, the biggest shake-up to Melbourne’s rail network since 1981, is set to revolutionise how Melburnians move through their city. By freeing up the City Loop’s capacity, it’s promising more frequent services and better connections to jobs, healthcare and education across the metropolitan area.
“Thousands of Victorians will use this tunnel every day and we’re powering ahead, training staff and testing advanced technology that has never been used on our rail network before,” says Acting Minister for Transport Infrastructure Melissa Horne.
The successful trial run marks a crucial milestone for the Allan Labor Government’s flagship infrastructure project, which looks set to deliver on its promise of transforming Melbourne’s public transport landscape a full year ahead of schedule.
To keep up to date on the Melbourne Tunnel Project, head here.