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Melbourne’s train network is about to get busier, in a good way. From Sunday, August 23, more than 400 extra weekly train services will be added across the city's transport network, with a brand-new cross-city connection making it easier to get from Melbourne’s west to the Bayside suburbs without changing trains. Here's what we know so far, so you can plan your commute (or beach trip) accordingly.
The biggest change for those in the west is the introduction of direct trains between Newport and Sandringham via Flinders Street. For the first time, passengers will be able to travel directly between the two suburbs, linking Melbourne’s west with the city, the MCG, Chapel Street and the Bayside area.
On weekdays, trains between Newport and Sandringham will run every ten minutes, with more than 180 additional weekly services being added across the Werribee, Laverton, Williamstown and Sandringham Lines. And that’s just the start.
According to the Victorian Government, the Craigieburn Line will get an extra 115 services each week, with trains running every 20 minutes or better from morning until midnight, seven days a week. The Upfield Line is also getting a boost, with 77 additional weekly services and the same every-20-minutes-or-better frequency.
Night owls are getting in on the action, too, with extra Friday and Saturday night services to Ringwood on the Belgrave and Lilydale Lines. The Mernda and Hurstbridge Lines will each receive eight additional Sunday morning services, while the Seymour Line will see trains running hourly on Saturdays and Sundays.
Over on the Wyndham Vale Line, some peak services will be upgraded to nine-car VLocity trains, increasing capacity by 50 per cent. Meanwhile, 40 weekly services on the Geelong Line will be extended through to Waurn Ponds.
Regional Vic is also getting a timetable boost. Following a recent upgrade, the Shepparton Line will run nine return services every weekday and five return services on Saturdays and Sundays.
The changes are being made possible by the additional capacity created by the Metro Tunnel, which has allowed more trains to be added across Melbourne’s network. The Victorian Government has also promised extra services next year for the Hurstbridge, Mernda, Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley Lines.
There are more shiny new trains on the horizon, too. A further 25 locally built X’Trapolis 2.0 trains are being delivered as part of a $673.6 million investment. And if you live in Melbourne’s west, the brand-new West Tarneit Station is due to open on Sunday, September 13.
You can check the new services via the PTV app or Transport Victoria website over here.
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