Melbourne’s train network is set for its biggest influx of employees since the City Loop opened, with a recruiting drive about to begin to fill positions on the soon to open Metro Tunnel.
Applications for more than 100 new station worker roles open on November 22, with station master, senior station officers and station assistance roles available at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac stations.
Premier Jacinta Allen said new recruits were needed to ensure that the thousands of passengers expected to use the new tunnel get to where they need to go quickly and safely.
“To run more trains, more often, we need more station staff – so we’re launching a recruitment drive for Victoria’s most exciting new Metro Tunnel jobs,” Premier Allan said.
Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the new roles would be unlike any others offered on Melbourne’s train network.
“We encourage people wanting to be a part of the most important addition to Victoria’s transport network since the City Loop to apply – staff will work at new stations of a size and scale not seen in Melbourne before,” Minister Williams said.
The search for staff comes as the completion of the multi-billion dollar project gets nearer.
Test trains are now running at line speed through the project’s twin nine-kilometre tunnels and progress is being made on the five stations with architectural features, lights and seating installed.
The comprehensive testing phase includes tests to check the new signalling to lifts, escalators, security systems, passenger information and the Victorian-first platform screen doors.
The testing phase will continue into next year, before the project moves to the next phase of trialling train services using the new signalling system with station staff and drivers – before the tunnel is opened to passengers.
Once complete, the The Metro Tunnel will provide a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the north-west to Cranbourne and Pakenham in the south-east. It will offer train services to Parkville and St Kilda Road for the first time and allow commuters to switch to City Loop services via underground walkways at Town Hall Station and State Library Station.
It’s hoped the new tunnel under the city will also free up space in the City Loop, create room for more passengers, take cars off the road and cut travel times to Parkville and St Kilda Road by up to 50 minutes a day.
