The Metro Tunnel’s first Monday morning rush hour was a tale of two experiences—some commuters rejoiced in shorter, more direct journeys, while others faced unexpected delays and confusion. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this $15 billion project a game-changer for Melbourne’s transport, or a costly reshuffle that leaves some travelers worse off?
February 2, 2026, marked the first full-timetable test for the Metro Tunnel, and the results were a mixed bag. Metro Trains reported that most services ran smoothly, though a train door fault caused one Arden station service to bypass the stop entirely. For some, like a Caulfield resident heading to Parkville, the new route shaved 15 minutes off her commute—a significant win. Yet, others weren’t so lucky. A Cranbourne-to-Collingwood commuter now faces a three-train journey, adding a frustrating 25 minutes to his morning routine. And this is the part most people miss: while the tunnel promises efficiency, it’s also upended decades-old travel patterns, leaving some passengers scrambling to adapt.
At Caulfield station, the morning was a chaotic dance of passengers rushing between platforms, though a robust team of staff helped guide the way. Despite the crush at platform gates causing some to miss trains, the wait was minimal, with city-bound trains arriving every three to four minutes like clockwork. Still, the transition hasn’t been seamless. Passengers on the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines must now interchange to reach City Loop stations like Southern Cross and Parliament—a change that caught many off guard.
Announced in 2016 with a $10.9 billion price tag, the Metro Tunnel and its five underground stations ultimately cost over $15 billion, making it Melbourne’s most significant transport upgrade since the City Loop opened in 1981. While the tunnel partially opened in November 2025, this week’s full timetable rollout marks its true test. But is the convenience for some worth the inconvenience for others?
Take Andreas Groell, who found himself unexpectedly changing trains at Caulfield to reach South Yarra. “I wasn’t really aware of that,” he admitted, though he remained unfazed by the added five minutes. Contrast that with Manoj Mathew, who discovered his journey to Collingwood now takes 25 minutes longer. “It’s stressful,” he said, clutching his phone for guidance. Meanwhile, medical student Sara Pisacane celebrated her direct route to the University of Melbourne, saving her 15 minutes daily. “It makes a good difference,” she noted.
A Metro Trains spokesperson confirmed that 99% of trains ran on time Monday morning, but Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen cautioned, “There’s some people who may be a bit surprised come Monday morning.” At Town Hall station, first-time tunnel passengers like Diem Chau expressed confusion, assuming they’d have the option to use the City Loop. “I thought there would be two alternatives,” she said, only to find her train bypassed Richmond and Parliament entirely. Is this progress, or a case of one step forward, two steps back?
Even project staff are still adjusting. When asked for directions to the State Library station concourse, a customer service officer initially pointed toward Melbourne Central. “We’re all getting used to it,” he admitted with a smile.
As Melbourne navigates this new era of train travel, one question lingers: Will the Metro Tunnel’s benefits outweigh its growing pains, or will it remain a divisive chapter in the city’s transport history? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
