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Metro Tunnel to Open Sunday as Victoria Drops Pedestrian Charge at CBD Stations

Officials moved to prevent charges for short station-to-station walks by allowing a free thoroughfare at two CBD stops.

Overview

  • After public criticism of myki rules, the government said one gate will stay open at Town Hall and State Library stations to let pedestrians pass through without tapping on.
  • Metro Tunnel had confirmed that tapping on at State Library and exiting at nearby Melbourne Central would be treated as a trip, prompting the reversal and a pledge to staff the thoroughfares.
  • The rail link begins limited passenger services on November 30 with weekend fares waived across Victoria through February 1 to help people learn the new network.
  • The project delivers twin 9-kilometre tunnels and five new underground stations—Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac—integrating with existing CBD interchanges.
  • Some access points will open later, including the Flinders Street entrance at Young & Jacksons early next year and the Federation Square entry about a year away, as 240 extra services start from November 30 and Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury trains shift to the tunnel from February.