The Victorian Government has stopped short of guaranteeing that Melbourne’s $15 billion Metro Tunnel will run at full capacity when it opens later this year, after reports that two CBD stations—Town Hall and State Library—are behind schedule. 

 Minister Steve Dimopoulos initially dismissed the claim, then called it ‘pre-emptive’. saying the timetable was still being finalised.  According to the report cited by ABC, some services could use the new nine-kilometre tunnels in 2025, but peak-hour trains may keep diverting via the City Loop until early 2026. The state says details will be announced once the timetable is settled.  

 The Opposition criticised the lack of clarity, while the Public Transport Users Association said a partial opening ‘would not be idea’. Despite cost overruns and construction pressures, the government argues the project will be open by year’s end, earlier than the original late-2026 target. 

Parkville Station is part of the project; a phased opening could mean limited or off-peak tunnel services initially, with full peak-hour benefits not arriving until 2026 if delays continue, prolonging the wait for University of Melbourne students who have been waiting for the completion and start of operations on the Parkville Metro Station.