In short:
The Victorian Government’s claim that the Metro Tunnel will open “one year early” has sparked scrutiny, with records showing the project is actually 15 months behind its original 2024 completion date. Wyndham commuters will see benefits next year as more services run through the upgraded network.
Metro Tunnel ‘One Year Early’ Claim Under Scrutiny
The Victorian Government has announced that the long-awaited Metro Tunnel will open in early December, describing the milestone as “one year early”. However, historical project timelines show the claim may not hold up under scrutiny.
The project’s original completion date was September 2024, according to the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO). That date was later revised to June 2025, following delays and an $800 million cost blowout revealed in late 2024.
The Auditor-General’s 2024 report confirmed that the Metro Tunnel was initially due to start running passenger services by September 2024 but had been pushed back to the end of 2025. Based on that timeline, the upcoming December opening would be around 15 months later than the project’s original schedule, not a year ahead.
Despite this, the government’s recent media release described the December launch as “one year early” — a statement that has raised eyebrows among transport commentators and political observers.
The project’s official Summer Start program will see limited services operating through the five new underground stations — Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac — from early December. Weekday services will run every 20 minutes between Westall and West Footscray, with weekend services extending to East Pakenham and Sunbury.
The Big Switch, scheduled for 1 February 2026, will mark the full integration of the Metro Tunnel into Melbourne’s wider train network. At that point, more than 1,000 new weekly train services will begin, and the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run exclusively through the tunnel.
Trains will operate at least every 10 minutes between Watergardens and Dandenong from 6am to 9pm, with peak-hour services arriving every three to four minutes. The Frankston line will also return to the City Loop, improving CBD access for thousands of commuters.
For Wyndham residents, the Metro Tunnel’s completion is expected to increase network capacity and allow for more services on the Werribee Line during peak periods next year.
Member for Werribee John Lister said the project would have a noticeable impact for local commuters once services begin.
“The Metro Tunnel works may have been happening away from the Werribee electorate – but it will impact so many commuters from our community once it opens in December, and when timetables change in February 2026.”
“I know many people from Werribee and our outer Western suburbs rely on our train network to travel to work or university. The Metro Tunnel will mean that many commuters can now get to their destination or access transport connections faster and easier.”
While the December opening represents a significant milestone for Victoria’s transport system, the claim that it is “a year early” appears to rely on a revised timeline rather than the project’s original contractual deadline.
For passengers, the full benefits of the Metro Tunnel will be realised when the Big Switch takes place in February 2026 — introducing high-frequency “turn up and go” services across the city.
