Hundreds of drivers trained to drive through Metro Tunnel

More than half the drivers needed for the new state-of-the-art Metro Tunnel have now been trained, in another step towards opening the tunnel and stations to passengers later in the year.

The project has trained 250 drivers, with more than 400 drivers needed for the start of passenger services in the tunnel.

Each Metro Tunnel driver is undertaking around 150 hours of extra training on the cutting-edge systems and technology that will be used on Victoria’s newest train line. 

Eventually this number will rise to more than 1000 drivers trained – the majority of drivers on the metropolitan network. 

More drivers are set to be trained inside the tunnel over the coming months, as trains run for hundreds of kilometres back and forth to stress test the new systems and technology that will run services.

How are drivers trained?

Drivers start with classes to learn the new cutting-edge signalling system that will control trains as they move through the tunnel.

They then move on to the High Capacity Metro Train cabin simulator, where they learn to drive the trains using the new system in a safe environment, before practical training on the network starts.

The final step is training inside the new tunnels.

While driver training ramps up as part of the project’s trial operations phase, station staff are also being trained in the many processes and procedures that will be needed to operate the new stations safely.

More than 200 station staff will work across the Metro Tunnel’s five new stations – Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac. 

With construction on the first three new stations finished last year, work is continuing at pace on the final two stations – Town Hall and State Library.

At Town Hall, crews are working on the glass canopy above the station entrance in a revitalised City Square, while at State Library Station 27 escalators and 19 lifts have been installed.

The Metro Tunnel is the biggest upgrade of Melbourne’s train network since the City Loop opened in 1981 and will transform the way people move around the city. 

The Metro Tunnel will free up space in the City Loop by creating a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury in the north-west to Cranbourne and Pakenham in the south-east – via a new tunnel under the city. •