In anticipation of the new Metro Tunnel opening a year ahead of schedule in 2025, 100 new drivers are being recruited to operate additional train services.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, said, “Next year, we’ll see test trains running on the Metro Tunnel – and we need more than a hundred drivers to be ready when we open a year ahead of schedule.

“Whether it’s the Metro Tunnel, North East Link or Suburban Rail Loop we’re delivering the big projects we promised – supporting tens of thousands of jobs.”

Up to 120 new drivers will undergo an intensive 44-week training program to ensure they’re ready to operate the 65 new and bigger trains that will run through the Metro Tunnel. 

Training includes a mix of classroom, practical and on-the-job training, where the trainee drivers are accompanied by a trainer while operating passenger services.

As with any new infrastructure, additional training will be provided to qualified drivers to allow them to drive in the new tunnels. 

This will include training on the project’s next-generation signalling system and the use of platform screen doors – a Victorian first.

Recruitment for up to 180 operational staff including driver trainers, line and system controllers, signallers and signal maintenance technicians is also underway.

State Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, said, “Our transport workers have worked incredibly hard over the last two years as they’ve helped essential workers get to work – we thank them for that and can’t wait to see over a hundred new drivers join our team.”

Work has also started on helping passengers navigate the new network, with the development of new network maps and marketing and communications materials to support customer journeys.

Construction on the Metro Tunnel is progressing well, with crews preparing for the start of track laying in the new twin tunnels in the coming months. 

20 of the 65 new high-capacity trains are already running on the network and test trains will start running through the tunnels in 2023.

Tracks will be laid at State Library Station in early June, working towards the western tunnel entrance in Kensington.

Once that section is completed, they will return to State Library Station and continue laying rail towards the eastern tunnel entrance in South Yarra.

The Metro Tunnel will slash travel times by up to 50 minutes per day and create capacity for more than a half a million extra passengers each week.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said, “The Metro Tunnel will transform our city’s rail network by creating a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham, with bigger and better trains and five new stations.”

To apply to be a driver, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/metrotunnel.