VIC completes Metro Tunnel integration with the Big Switch

The Victorian Government’s ‘Big Switch’ has been completed on the Metro Tunnel, adding more than 1200 new weekly train services to the state’s public transport system, along with new regional services and bus timetables.

For many train lines, such as the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, service frequency has increased to every three minutes between Dandenong and West Footscray.

Outside these peaks, trains on these lines will run at least every 10 minutes as part of a ‘turn-up-and-go’ network between the city and Watergardens from 6am to 9pm, while running in similar intervals between the city and Dandenong from 6am to midnight.

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

Regional passengers will benefit from many additional services – 18 on the Traralgon line, 10 along the Seymour line and four on the Echuca line.

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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan praised the Big Switch for making intra-state transport more accessible for many.

“For busy families, time and money are tight,” she said.

“That’s why we’re making public transport faster, and that’s why we made it free for kids.

“More train services mean a better transport system, less time in traffic and more time at home.”

The Big Switch is the first instalment of new services that will be added to Victoria’s public transport network.

More frequent services will be added later in the year, including on the Werribee, Sandringham, Craigieburn and Upfield lines.

“The Big Switch delivers better public transport services and more options for passengers and it’s just the start,” said State Minister for Public Transport and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams.

“The changes today will take time for passengers to get used to, but it’s worth it for a bigger, better, faster system.”

More than 800,000 passengers have visited the new Metro Tunnel stations since the project opened last November.