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Melbourne Metro Tunnel Opens Amid Cost Concerns and Uncertain Projections

12/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel opened last week to positive public reception.
The project's initial economic case showed a benefit-cost ratio of 3.3, indicating $3.30 of benefits per $1 invested.
Costs rose from $10.9 billion to $15.5 billion, a 42% increase, which was considered reasonable given the pandemic and inflation.
Projections for train patronage have faltered, with weekday boardings from 750,000 in 2011 to 1.5 million by 2031 now uncertain.

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Story summary

The Melbourne Metro Tunnel opened last week to positive public reception.
The project's initial economic case showed a benefit-cost ratio of 3.3, indicating $3.30 of benefits per $1 invested.
Costs rose from $10.9 billion to $15.5 billion, a 42% increase, which was considered reasonable given the pandemic and inflation.
Projections for train patronage have faltered, with weekday boardings from 750,000 in 2011 to 1.5 million by 2031 now uncertain.