Major Timetable Overhaul: Metro Tunnel 'Big Switch' and Road Resurfacing Begins

The Big Switch: Melbourne’s Rail Network Transformed Today

Today, Sunday, 1 February 2026, marks one of the most significant shifts in the history of Melbourne’s public transport system. The Department of Transport and Planning has officially launched 'The Big Switch,' a massive network-wide timetable overhaul that fully integrates the Metro Tunnel into daily operations. Commuters on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines will now see their services diverted through the new tunnel, bypassing the City Loop to provide direct access to five new state-of-the-art underground stations: Anzac, Town Hall, State Library, Parkville, and Arden.

New Timetables and Station Changes

With the new timetable now in effect, passengers are urged to check the official journey planners before travelling. Key changes implemented this morning include:

• Cranbourne and Pakenham Lines: All services are now diverted through the Metro Tunnel. Passengers heading to Parliament, Melbourne Central, or Flagstaff stations must now change at Town Hall or State Library.
• Sunbury Line: Services also run via the Metro Tunnel, providing a direct connection to the university and hospital precincts in Parkville.
• Free Travel Concludes: Today is the final day of the free weekend travel initiative introduced to celebrate the tunnel's opening. Standard fare requirements and myki touch-ons will resume for all weekend travel starting next week.

Major Roadworks and Nightly Closures

While the rail network reaches a milestone, several infrastructure projects will impact Sunday travel and the overnight commute into Monday:

• Princes Highway, Caulfield North: Starting at 9:00 PM tonight, asphalt resurfacing works will close westbound lanes between Station Street and Tooronga Road. These works will continue nightly until Wednesday, with detours in place via Burke Road and High Street.
• Elizabeth Street, CBD: A southbound closure between Therry Street and Victoria Street begins at 10:00 PM tonight for power utility works. Additionally, a full eastern footpath closure is active between Little Lonsdale and La Trobe Streets.
• Mornington Peninsula Freeway: Resurfacing continues in Chelsea Heights, with nightly road closures expected between Springvale Road and Patterson River.
• Queen Street: Northbound lanes remain closed at the Franklin Street intersection due to telecommunications upgrades scheduled through mid-February.

Event Alerts and Public Transport Disruptions

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race concludes today with the Men’s elite race. While centered in Geelong and the Surf Coast, motorists in those regions should expect rolling road closures and 20-minute delays until late afternoon. Within Melbourne, the final day of the Australian Open will keep the sporting precinct busy, with extra tram services running on Route 70 and 70a. Finally, commuters on the Hurstbridge Line are reminded that buses continue to replace trains between Clifton Hill and Greensborough until the last service tonight.