- Published:
- Monday 12 May 2025
The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most – cutting congestion for busy families and workers and saving time for passengers.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 invests almost $5 billion in a public transport blitz to:
switch on the Metro Tunnel and deliver turn-up-and-go services
run more frequent train services elsewhere across the network
kick off the first stage of Airport Rail by funding the Sunshine Station superhub
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of the rail network since the City Loop, delivering more services and more time savings with new rail tunnels under the CBD and five new underground stations.
Opening this year, an investment of $727 million will operationalise the Metro Tunnel – switching it on and delivering turn-up-and-go services for the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines that run through it.
A further $98.7 million will deliver more frequent services for passengers on other lines, making it easier for passengers to get to work and home sooner, including:
Werribee line: two additional trains per hour in the mornings and afternoons, increasing the number of trains on the Werribee line in peak periods from six to eight trains per hour
Sandringham line: services running every 10 minutes between peak periods, increasing the number of trains from four to six trains per hour between peak periods
Craigieburn line: increase in services during shoulder peak and off-peak periods, with trains running at least every 20 minutes on the line, including late at night and on weekends
Upfield line: increase in off-peak services with trains running at least every 20 minutes on the line, including late at night and on weekends
Gippsland line: additional weekday interpeak services on the Traralgon Line following the completion of the Gippsland Line Upgrade this year, with trains to run every 40 minutes
Bendigo line: longer trains running on more weekend services
Seymour line: an additional service in the morning and afternoon peak
The boost to train services builds on the more than 2,100 additional weekly services added across the regional and metropolitan train network since 2015.
The Labor Government is improving transport across Melbourne's west to save time and cut congestion, including removing level crossings, delivering the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel, and upgrading the Melton Line.
Now, in partnership with the Albanese Labor Government, the Allan Labor Government is building a new transport superhub in Sunshine as the key to delivering Airport Rail and the first step for electrification to Melton.
To fast track the project, the Budget allocates $4 billion towards the Sunshine Station redevelopment – bringing forward $2 billion of the Government's investment in Airport Rail – to kickstart works as soon as possible.
The redeveloped Sunshine Station will be able to support more than 40 metropolitan and regional trains per hour, as well as trains from the Melton and Melbourne Airport lines in future travelling into the Metro Tunnel.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“We’re focused on what matters most. People just want to get to work and get home sooner, and I’m on their side.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
“While we’re cutting congestion and helping Victorians spend less time at the station, the Liberals are planning to cancel projects and make congestion worse. They don’t believe in public transport.”
Quote attributable to Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll
“Building Airport Rail will electrify the north-west, unlocking its true potential and getting families home faster.”
Quote attributable to Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
“Sunshine Station will become a superhub delivering more jobs and more train services for our community.”
Quote attributable to Member for Point Cook Mathew Hilakari
“We’ve building the road and rail projects the west needs and backing it up with more services.”
Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight
“More trains means more workers in the west getting home safer and sooner.”
Quote attributable to Member for Werribee John Lister
“More peak services on the Werribee line is exactly what our growing community needs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne
"This investment makes sure my community in Melbourne's West can get to work or school faster and more reliably."
Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“When the Metro Tunnel opens, it will mean even better connections to every corner of the city from Footscray.”
Quote attributable to Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins
“Labor’s delivering better public transport across the west, making it easier for locals to get where they need to go.”
Quote attributable to Member for Sunbury Josh Bull
“Sunbury is one of the fastest growing communities in the state – it’s why we’re upgrading roads and rail.”
Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
“When the Metro Tunnel opens it means more opportunities for young people and workers in our community.”
Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“Upgrading Sunshine Station is the first step to electrification to Melton – and the Liberals want to cut it.”
Quote attributable to Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch
“We’re removing level crossings, upgrading the Melton line and upgrading Sunshine Station.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Metropolitan Region Ingrid Stitt
“The Metro Tunnel will provide direct access into Melbourne’s booming health and job precincts.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Metropolitan Region Lizzie Blandthorn
“We've delivered record investment in Melbourne's west to cut congestion and deliver better public transport.”