Three weeks after the full opening, people are slowly getting used to the Metro tunnel, and their travel options.
Google update
First some good news: Just in the past few days, Google Maps seems to finally have realistic timings for interchange from the new stations.
- Between State Library and Melbourne Central stations it had thought 7 minutes, via street level, which is an unnecessary detour. It’s now saying 5 via the subway, which is more realistic. I’ve timed this connection (platform to platform) at about 3 minutes if you walk at a reasonable clip including on the escalators.
- Between Town Hall and Flinders Street (platform 1) was even worse – Google until a few days ago said 13 minutes, via the main entrance on Collins Street, along Swanston Street, around the corner along Flinders Street as far as Elizabeth Street, before crossing the road and doubling back to the entrance halfway along.
It’s now saying 7 via the subway, which is better. I’ve found it’s actually around 4-5 minutes for a fast walker, and depending which platform you need, and depending on crowding.
Presumably it was an issue in the GTFS data. It’s pretty bad that it took so long for this to be fixed, given the stations and the connecting subways opened at the end of November. But better late than never.
I still think those estimates are a little too high, but it’s definitely an improvement. Previously Google would send you a different way because it thought it was quicker – even if it was not.
Early in the month The Age interviewed one passenger who caught three trains between Cranbourne and Collingwood. I understand that was due to Google’s suggestion. It now shows a more sensible two train trip.
Trip timings
With all this in mind, I’ve compared peak hour trips on the two lines that run via the Metro tunnel, heading into various CBD stations.
I’ve used slightly faster interchange times based on my own timings.
Note that you should really consider the options to your final destination, not just the station you’re used to using… Your quickest or most convenient trip might be by using a different station.
(I don’t expect everyone to read the numbers below, but I wanted to work them out for my own interest. Feel free to skip ahead to the conclusions.)
From Oakleigh (Cranbourne/Pakenham lines)
| Trip | Old option 1 | Old option 2 | New option 1 | New option 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakleigh to Richmond | 21 mins | To Malvern* 11 mins + change 1-2 mins + 0-7 mins + train to Richmond 10-12 mins = 22-32 mins | To Town Hall 22 mins + change 4-6 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Flinders St 4 mins = 30-34 mins | |
| Oakleigh to Parliament | Loop train 25 mins | To State Library 24 mins + change 3-5 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Melb Central 2 mins = 29-35 mins | To Malvern* 11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + train to Loop 14-16 mins = 26-36 mins | |
| Oakleigh to Melbourne Central/State Library | 27 mins | 24 mins | ||
| Oakleigh to Flagstaff | 29 mins | To State Library 24 mins + change 3-5 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Melb Central 2 mins = 29-34 mins | To Malvern* 11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + train to Loop 18-20 mins = 30-40 mins | |
| Oakleigh to Southern Cross | 31 mins | To Town Hall 22 mins + change 4-6 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Flinders St 4 mins = 30-35 mins | To Malvern* 11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + train to Loop 20-22 mins = 32-42 mins | |
| Oakleigh to Flinders Street/Town Hall | Loop train 35 mins | To Richmond 21 mins + change 1 min + wait 0-5 mins + direct train to Flinders Street 4 mins = 26-31 mins | 22 mins |
Some notes on this:
It’s incredibly annoying that the official timetables for Cranbourne/Pakenham end at Town Hall. To see the times to and from State Library, you have to separately look at the Sunbury line timetable. Ridiculous.
*Malvern is generally a better interchange than Caulfield inbound, because there’s less walking, no gates (though Caulfield’s are being removed shortly), fewer people. But there are issues with PM peak Frankston express trains not stopping there. Consistency would be good.
Also: if outbound transferring outbound from the Metro Tunnel to a stopping Frankston train, Malvern is better because Metro Tunnel trains tend to arrive at Malvern 1-2 minutes early, and wait there. That makes you slightly more likely to catch an earlier connection than changing at Caulfield.
Okay, let’s try from the west.
From Sunshine (Sunbury line)
| Trip | Old option 1 | Old option 2 | New option 1 | New option 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine to North Melbourne | 14-15 mins | To Footscray 10-11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + Train to NM 5-6 mins = 16-26 mins | To Arden 14-15 mins + exit 1-2 mins + walk 11-12 mins = 26-29 mins | |
| Sunshine to Flagstaff | 17-18 mins | To State Library 20-21 mins + change 3-5 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Melb Central 2 mins = 25-31 mins | To Footscray 10-11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + train to NM 5-6 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-8 mins + train to Flagstaff 3 mins = 20-37 mins | |
| Sunshine to Melbourne Central/State Library | 19-20 mins | To State Library 20-21 mins | ||
| Sunshine to Parliament | 21-22 mins | To State Library 20-21 mins + change 3-5 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Melb Central 2 mins = 25-31 mins | To Footscray 10-11 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + train to NM 5-6 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-8 mins + train to Flagstaff 7 mins = 24-41 mins | |
| Sunshine to Flinders Street/Town Hall | 24-25 mins | 23-24 mins | ||
| Sunshine to Southern Cross | 27-28 mins | To North Melbourne 14-15 mins + change 1-2 mins + wait 0-8 mins + train to SC 4 mins = 19-29 mins | To Footscray 10-11 mins + Change 1-2 mins + wait 0-7 mins + Train to SC 9-10 mins = 20-30 mins | To State Library 20-21 mins + change 3-5 mins + wait 0-3 mins + train from Melb Central 4 mins = 27-33 mins |
Trips to Flagstaff and Parliament have limited options, due to no Loop trains at all from the western suburban lines via Footscray.
Change twice might be quicker than changing once at State Library, but also might be slower.
Conclusions
I’d continue to encourage people to try different options, including aiming for a City station that may be a slightly longer walk but a more direct train trip.
Some of the trip options would be quicker if the wait times for connections weren’t so variable. Up to 7 minutes wait at Footscray for a train to Southern Cross, for instance, despite 12 trains per hour. Similar at Malvern; both have uneven peak frequencies due to a mix of express and stopping trains.
As a passenger, you can use the real-time information in the PTV app to check the next train/s when a connection opportunity is approaching. (Though in reality, most people don’t want to overthink their trip like this.)
All of these connection times are likely to blow out when travelling outside peak hours. Again, this is down to frequencies, and is part of the reason that actual big city metros don’t markedly reduce their service levels outside commuter peaks.
Authorities are continuing to tweak things. Signage has been adjusted, so have announcements at interchanges, and Caulfield’s space-hogging fare gates are being removed soon.
Government was warned that Caulfield would be a problem. There’s more they can do, including opening the extra gates onto platform 1, but at some point they’re going to need to invest in something bigger, like a North Melbourne-style extra concourse.
In the meantime, if you’re on one of the affected lines, how are you finding it?
5 replies on “Metro Tunnel travel options”
My journey is on Frankston line to Flinders Street. I compared switching to Sandringham Line at Richmond but the transfer penalty and longer walk at Flinders Street mean it’s easier and more reliable to travel the loop.
On the way home thankfully Frankston line is direct from Flinders St. if was changed to the loop I’d instead switch my two-way journey to the Sandringham line and drive much further to get to it.
I’ve not considered the new line because of the time lost at Caulfield or Malvern and probably having to stand for the rest of my journey.
@Dave, it actually is worth considering.
My theoretical usual station is Flagstaff, but during the time the Frankston line ran direct to Flinders Street, I got used to walking from there… only a few minutes extra.
So subsequently I’ve tried changing at Caulfield or Malvern onto a Metro tunnel train, and walking from Town Hall. It’s quicker than the old (stopping all stations) trip to Flinders Street, and about on par with staying on the train to Flagstaff.
And there’s a bonus from using the Metro tunnel: the phone signal is MUCH better than on the Frankston train, which can receive a signal but is very congested.
We take Cranbourne / Packenham services to a variety of places in the city.
Biggest observations is that speed into most places in the Hoddle Grid has improved but may require a little more walking or using trams. Some of that time gain comes from the faster speed through the Metro Tunnel – no more unexplained delays entering the Loop after Richmond. The quieter and smoother ride is also an improvement.
Also finding it useful to try different exits in the new stations. For example, heading east up Collins St from Town Hall is much quicker when using the lifts, not the escalators.
Enjoying getting more seats as a lot of commuters on our line are still addicted to changing to Loop stations. Our neighbour works in Docklands but was charging at State Library to a Loop service to Southern Cross. Best deal for her is probably the 48 or 11 tram from Town Hall.
Changing at Malvern definitely the better option, for reasons stated but also because the gradients on the ramps are better. The current ramp at Caulfield to Platform 1 must be a disaster for anyone with mobility aids. Bring on an overpass at the east end like the newish one at North Melbourne.
At 8:40 tonight I made it from State Library, up the gigantic escalator, through to Melbourne Central and down the express escalator to platform 4 in 2 minutes to catch my Lilydale train which was pulling in by the time I raced down the escalator, with the next of course being in 30 minutes.
Metro Tunnel 1, Lilydale line 0, Big Switch −1.
I am not sure what it is like in peak times but I think the number of people who use the lifts at the northern end of Town Hall was underestimated. Two lifts not far apart as against three escalators makes it a no brainer to me. Maybe when other entrances open, the loadings will be more evenly spread. I’ve learnt coming from the south, front of train for Town Hall if not walking to FSS, rear of train for State Library, although the exit usings lifts took me a while to master with Franklin Street being much easier and faster, and train door 18 when travelling the opposite direction to get off next to the lifts at Anzac.