Trains running on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run through the Metro Tunnel on the weekend of August 16-17.
As a result, passengers will need to interchange at Footscray and Caulfield to complete their journey, as they are unable to travel inside the tunnel.
Metro Tunnel crews will be testing the new systems and infrastructure over an extended time to ensure the system is functional before the slated opening at the end of the year.
More trains will run over the two days compared to the usual weekend timetable, as the project trials turn-up-and-go services using the Metro Tunnel’s new signalling system in real-world conditions.
Passenger information displays on the trains and platforms will reflect future services, so station staff will be out in force to help people understand how their journey will be affected.
Passengers are urged to pay careful attention to live announcements.
Transport minister Gabrielle Williams said the project will transform rail travel across the state.
“The Metro Tunnel will be the biggest transformation of our rail network in more than 40 years, and we need to repeatedly trial all the complex systems before it opens later this year – one year ahead of schedule,” she said.
“We thank passengers for their patience as we get on delivering this city shaping project.”
There will be more full-day trial runs in the coming months as the Metro Tunnel prepares to open to passengers later this year.
The Metro Tunnel will connect the Sunbury and Cranbourne and Pakenham lines via a new tunnel under the city, creating an end-to-end rail line from the north-west to the south-east.
