Metro Trains Melbourne
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transport |
| Predecessor | Connex Melbourne |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Melbourne metropolitan area |
Key people | Mike Haughton (CEO) |
| Products | Suburban rail transport services |
| Owner | MTR Corporation (60%), John Holland Group (20%), UGL Rail (20%) |
Number of employees | 3,500 (2024) |
Metro Trains Melbourne, often referred to simply as Metro, is responsible for running the electrified suburban rail network throughout Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It oversees the nation's largest metropolitan rail system, comprising 17 lines and 222 stations across of track, accommodating 182.5 million passengers during the 2023–2024 period.
Ownership of the network lies with Public Transport Victoria, which leases both the infrastructure and rolling stock to Metro Trains Melbourne. This operator is a joint venture formed by Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation (holding 60%), alongside John Holland Group and UGL Rail, each with a 20% stake. The same consortium also manages the Sydney Metro through the Metro Trains Sydney partnership. Metro Trains Melbourne took over from Connex Melbourne as the service provider in 2009.
Metro operates a fleet of 220 six-car trains along of track, running sixteen regular service lines plus an additional line dedicated to special events. The company manages 219 stations and employs approximately 3,500 personnel, including drivers, engineers, operations staff, and station officers.
The railway assets and trains are owned by VicTrack on behalf of the State Government and leased to Public Transport Victoria, which then sub-leases them to Metro. The State Government retains ownership of the 'Metro' brand, ensuring brand continuity irrespective of operator changes. Despite early criticisms—being rated Australia's poorest rail system in 2011—significant enhancements in punctuality and reliability have been realized since 2014, aided by level crossing removals and increased train frequencies.
History
In June 2009, the Government of Victoria appointed Metro Trains Melbourne to replace Connex Melbourne as the metropolitan rail operator, with operations commencing on 30 November 2009. The initial contract was for eight years, with an option to extend for an additional seven years. Contract management transitioned to Public Transport Victoria on 2 April 2012 from the Director of Public Transport.
In May 2012, the Australian Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union raised safety concerns against Metro Trains, citing failures such as neglecting CCTV and intercom inspections and permitting trains with cracked windows to operate. Metro responded by affirming that safety equipment underwent regular maintenance checks. In 2013, investigations revealed that many passengers missed out on compensation due to Metro’s failure to meet performance benchmarks, attributing this to a complex claims process.
A major IT failure on 13 July 2017 led to cancellation of 224 services and delays affecting 378 others, resulting in fines totaling $1.2 million and $620,000 paid in customer reimbursements. CEO Mike Haughton explained that a breakdown in the core train control system forced a shutdown for safety reasons.
The Victorian government extended Metro’s contract in September 2017 through November 2024, later prolonging it further until May 2026.
Rolling stock
Most rolling stock is owned by VicTrack, a Victorian Government entity, while Metro Trains Melbourne handles maintenance responsibilities. Melbourne’s suburban fleet is electric-powered (except for the Stony Point Line), driver-operated, and equipped with power-operated sliding doors—passenger-operated on newer X'Trapolis, Siemens, and HCMT trains; older Comeng sets feature manual door handles but close automatically. Both Comeng and X'Trapolis trains have inter-car doors designed to reduce noise transmission. All trains include air conditioning, CCTV surveillance, and emergency intercoms, operating in fixed three-car units either singly or coupled.
As part of the 2008 Victorian Transport Plan, an initial order of 38 six-car X'Trapolis EMUs was placed. Early units were manufactured by Alstom in Italy starting in 2009 before final assembly at United Group’s Ballarat North Workshops ensured compliance with a minimum local content threshold of 40%. Subsequent orders expanded this fleet to a total of 212 three-car or 106 six-car sets by 2020.
In September 2016, Evolution Rail—a consortium made up of Downer Rail, Changchun Railway Vehicles, and Plenary Group—secured a $2 billion contract to construct 65 new High Capacity Metro Trains, with deliveries beginning in 2019 and generating around 1,000 local jobs.
In May 2021, the Victorian Government confirmed procurement of 25 X'Trapolis 2.0 trains intended to replace aging Comeng units. These new trains are scheduled for introduction on the Craigieburn, Frankston, and Upfield lines between 2024 and 2026. The phased retirement of older Comeng trains began in 2022. By year-end, HCMTs will fully operate on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, with the Sunbury line transitioning by 2026—coinciding with complete withdrawal of Comeng trains as X'Trapolis 2.0s enter service.
Passenger trains
| Model | Image | Category | Maximum speed (km/h) | Manufacturing period | Quantity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comeng | EMU | 115 | 1981–1988 | 190 sets of 3 cars each | Refurbishments occurred between 2000–2003 and 2017–2020. Decommissioning started in 2017, with all 'Stage 1' units dismantled by 2022; complete retirement anticipated by 2030. In 2024, original horns were updated to comply with Australian Standard AS 7532. | |
| X'Trapolis 100 | 143 | 2002–2005, 2009–2019 | 212 sets of 3 cars each | |||
| Siemens Nexas | 145 | 2002–2006 | 72 sets of 3 cars each | |||
| HCMT | 130 | From 2019 onwards | 70 trains composed of 7 cars each[1] | Procured from Evolution Rail in 2019 for the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines; the inaugural unit commenced service in December 2020. | ||
| Sprinter | DMU | 130 | 1993–1995 | 2 units | Leased from V/Line specifically for operations on the Stony Point line. |
Upcoming fleet
| Model | Category | Maximum speed (km/h) | Production years | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X'Trapolis 2.0 | EMU | 130 | Scheduled for 2022–2025 | 25 trains with six cars each | Commissioned in 2021 to replace all remaining Comeng units. |
Maintenance trains
| Model | Image | Category | Maximum speed (km/h) |
Year built | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel electric locomotives | P and T classes | 80 | 1964 | Utilized under lease from Southern Shorthaul Railroad for maintenance duties. | ||
| IEV100 | Track assessment vehicle | Travels at 80 km/h during data collection 100 km/h when idle recording mode is off. |
Single unit | |||
| IEV102 | Overhead inspection carriage | Maximum speed of 115 km/h | Built in 1958 | One unit available | ||
| EV120 | Infrastructure evaluation carriage | Capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h | Introduced in 2021 | One unit in service | ||
| ECOM (Evaluation Comeng) |
Former passenger Comeng sets converted for maintenance evaluation |115 |Produced in 1985 & 1987 |Two units |Repurposed from passenger service units withdrawn in May 2025 for maintenance functions. |
Retired fleet
| Model | Image | Category | Max speed (km/h) | Production period | Quantity | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitachi | EMU | 115 | Manufactured between 1972 and 1981 | Fourteen sets of three cars each | Refurbished in 2007. Withdrawn and stored by 2013, with a farewell tour held in 2014. All sets relocated to Newport Workshops by 2015. Plans include scrapping most units except six carriages preserved; two are undergoing asbestos assessments. | |
| B class | Diesel electric locomotive | Built in 1953 | Two units total | Returned to CFCL Australia in 2017; MTM subcontracts operations to QUBE, with locomotives B76-80 frequently deployed on infrastructure upgrade trains. |
Classification and configuration
Since suburban electric trains were introduced in Melbourne, carriage designations have followed a specific system. Each fleet type utilizes unique numbering ranges.
- M signifies a motorized carriage equipped with a driver's cab.
- T indicates a trailer carriage without a motor.
- D refers to a trailer carriage that includes a driver's compartment; this classification applies only to Swing-door, Tait, and Hitachi fleets.
- G denotes a trailer carriage fitted with both electric and gas lighting, used for suburban and country routes exclusively on Tait trains.
- BT represents second-class trailer carriages found only on Swing-door and Harris trains. Prior to the cessation of first-class suburban travel in 1958, motorized carriages were designated as second class, whereas trailers were first class—except for some DogBox carriages.
The unique trial double-deck train assigned T to trailers with driving compartments and M to motorized cars lacking driving cabs.
Currently, except for HCMT models, all train formations follow a symmetrical pattern of M-T-M, creating one or two units per set. Two units are typically combined during peak hours and some off-peak periods. The now-retired Hitachi trains operated exclusively as fixed two-unit configurations.
Services and lines
Melbourne employs "clock-face" scheduling during off-peak times; however, peak periods do not follow this pattern due to limitations in infrastructure capacity and operational challenges. Service frequency changes depending on the line, day, and time, with some segments benefiting from overlapping lines to boost frequency. Weekend daytime operations maintain consistent service levels, although Sunday mornings see reduced train frequencies.
Metro Trains Melbourne manages several passenger rail routes along with a dedicated special events line, grouped into five operational clusters.
Burnley Group
- Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein, and Glen Waverley lines
The Belgrave and Lilydale services travel through the City Loop—running anticlockwise on weekday mornings and clockwise during afternoons and weekends. Peak hours feature increased service frequency and express runs that utilize triple-track sections to allow overtaking. Glen Waverley trains head directly to Flinders Street on weekday mornings but use the Loop in the afternoons and on weekends alongside Belgrave and Lilydale routes. Alamein trains operate as shuttle services to Camberwell during weekday off-peak times, with their City Loop routing differing according to peak schedules.
Caulfield Group
- & lines
Trains on these lines pass through the City Loop in an anti-clockwise direction starting from Richmond Station. During nighttime, the Cranbourne line functions as a shuttle between Dandenong and Cranbourne. From 2025 onward, these routes will be rerouted through the new Metro Tunnel towards Sunbury.
Clifton Hill Group
- & lines
On weekdays and weekends, trains run clockwise via the City Loop departing from Jolimont, except for services after midnight which travel directly from Flinders Street. During peak periods, Hurstbridge trains operate express between Jolimont and Clifton Hill, while Mernda trains stop at all intermediate stations.
Northern Group
- , & lines
Except for Night Network operations (Saturday–Sunday midnight to 5 AM), Northern group services use the City Loop. When running through the Loop, trains proceed clockwise on weekday mornings until 12:30 PM and throughout weekends; after 12:30 PM on weekdays, they run anticlockwise. Starting in 2025, the Sunbury line will utilize the Metro Tunnel to connect with Cranbourne and East Pakenham lines.
Cross-City Group
- , & lines
Established in 2011 by merging Frankston with Werribee and Williamstown lines, limited City Loop services continued until 2021; currently, all trains run directly to or from Flinders Street and frequently continue through. On weekends, Werribee trains stop at all stations via Altona; weekdays see express runs between Footscray, Newport, Laverton followed by all-stations service to Werribee. Weekday all-stations trains via Altona terminate at Laverton. From 2025, Frankston will resume City Loop operations while Werribee and Williamstown will operate through-services with Sandringham.
- (non-electrified shuttle beyond Frankston)
The Stony Point line functions as a shuttle from Frankston without electrification past that point; passengers must transfer at Frankston. It is unique among Metro Trains’ routes as the only non-electrified line, serviced by leased V/Line Sprinter diesel units.
Although classified within the Cross-City group, Sandringham runs independently with all services traveling directly to or from Flinders Street; City Loop operations ceased in 2021. Beginning in 2025, it will be linked operationally with Werribee and Williamstown lines for continuous through-running.
Specialized services
- (event-specific operations)
The Flemington Racecourse railway line functions exclusively during race days and significant occasions such as the Royal Melbourne Show in September and University Exam periods. During these events, trains serve the Showgrounds platform. Additionally, the Flemington Line acts as an alternative route when the Craigieburn Line is closed. In 2018, replacement bus services to Craigieburn operated from Flemington Racecourse Station amid the Buckley Street Level Crossing Removal works.
Stations
Metro Trains Melbourne oversees daily service at a total of 219 stations. These encompass terminus points, premium stations staffed throughout operating hours (with exceptions including underground City Loop stations and Southern Cross, which close shortly after midnight), and host stations that provide staff presence predominantly during morning peak periods to enhance commuter support.
Ticketing
The sole ticketing system employed by Metro Trains Melbourne is myki, a time- and zone-based fare platform valid from two hours up to one year, covering two metropolitan zones. The former Metcard system was completely phased out on 28 December 2012, enabling a more streamlined fare collection process and operational improvements.
Fare compliance
Authorised Officers ("ticket inspectors") working for Metro Trains Melbourne operate under the authority of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983. Their duties include identifying ticketing and behavioural violations for reporting to the Victorian Department of Transport, assisting passengers, and supporting event operations.
These officers, appointed by the Director of Public Transport, possess powers akin to those of police officers, allowing them to inspect tickets and confirm concession eligibility. They are empowered to make arrests on PTV-operated vehicles or on Department of Transport property such as stations and rail tracks.
Authorised Officers must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Public Transport Authorised Officers, which grants discretion in offence reporting and mandates providing their name and workplace address upon request. When suspecting an infringement, they may request a passenger’s personal details, verify accuracy, and if denied or falsified, contact Victoria Police and detain the individual until police arrive.
Non-compliance cases are forwarded to the Department of Transport for penalty processing. Fines are payable directly to the Department, while Metro Trains Melbourne receives a modest administrative fee to cover employment costs for Authorised Officers.
Service punctuality
During its initial nine months, Metro did not achieve government punctuality standards, with close to one-quarter of trains running late. However, performance improved in 2011, exceeding targets for six straight months from June through November—the first time since December 2008 such consistency was recorded. From April 2012 onward, punctuality regularly met or surpassed benchmarks through 2013.
Metro faced scrutiny over meeting punctuality goals by skipping stops, particularly within the City Loop. In April 2012, Metro admitted to modifying stopping patterns—such as converting late trains from all-stations to express services—to comply with government performance criteria. Internal documentation revealed more than 129 instances of such changes between mid-April and May. The state government expressed concerns that some station omissions were unjustified. Consequently, in June 2012 Metro incurred a $2.7 million penalty related to service performance issues including station skipping and bypassing City Loop stops.
The contract renewal in 2017 introduced tougher punctuality requirements alongside increased fines and sanctions for station skipping and short running. The punctuality target rose from 88% to 92%, with lateness defined as delays exceeding five minutes. Metro failed to meet this target in its first month under the new contract; a 2021 report found minimal progress in reducing cancellations during the initial three years.
Metro achieved the 92% punctuality goal for two consecutive years until July 2022 when it fell short by 0.4%, prompting a day of free travel for some passengers. Major infrastructure initiatives like Level Crossing Removal projects and signalling system upgrades have contributed positively toward enhanced network reliability and timeliness.
Transport Integration Act
The Transport Integration Act 2010 serves as Victoria's principal legislation governing transport, designating the Department of Transport as the central coordinating authority for the state's transport network. This legislation outlines the responsibilities of agencies involved in managing public rail services and freight network access, including entities such as the Director of Public Transport and V/Line. Under this Act, the Director of Public Transport is empowered to enter into service contracts, forming the basis for agreements with operators like Metro. Additionally, the Act established VicTrack, which holds ownership of public rail infrastructure and leases these assets to the Director of Public Transport, who then franchises operators to deliver services on behalf of the State.
Rail Safety Act
The Rail Safety Act 2006 governs safety standards for all commercial passenger rail services within Melbourne. It imposes safety obligations on industry stakeholders and mandates that both infrastructure managers and rolling stock operators secure accreditation prior to commencing operations. Accredited parties are required to maintain a safety management system to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance. Enforcement measures related to this safety regime are specified in the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983. The rail safety oversight is conducted by the Director, Transport Safety, operating as Transport Safety Victoria, an office created under the Transport Integration Act 2010. Investigations into rail-related incidents are carried out by the Chief Investigator, Transport Safety through impartial, no-fault inquiries.
Ticketing and conduct
Ticketing across Melbourne’s trains, trams, and buses is principally regulated by the Transport (Ticketing) Regulations 2006 alongside the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual. Standards concerning passenger behaviour and safety on these services are established within the framework of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 and further detailed in the Transport (Conduct) Regulations 2005.
Dumb Ways to Die
In November 2012, Metro introduced the Dumb Ways to Die safety campaign, which rapidly gained international attention through widespread social media sharing. The initiative expanded into a range of merchandise such as posters, stickers, and badges. Notably, an early leak was caused by the parody Twitter account Fake Metro Trains.
By May 2013, Metro launched a Dumb Ways to Die mobile application for iOS and Android platforms, designed to engage users in avoiding hazardous behaviours highlighted by the campaign while promoting commitments to safe practices around trains. A follow-up titled Dumb Ways to Die 2: the Games was released in November 2014, featuring similar interactive gameplay centered on sporting themes and continued user pledges. In 2021, ownership of the franchise transferred to PlaySide Studios.
External links
- ↑ Train order reveals Airport Rail Link on track Herald Sun (subscription required)