Melton local Tracey D’Antonio found herself a part of Melbourne transport history after she drove one of the first trains through the newly opened Metro Tunnel.
Ms D’Antonio sat in the driver’s cabin for the second service to ever enter the tunnel from the west during its opening in November, saying it was a career highlight to be involved in the first Metro Tunnel passenger train journeys.
“The vibe out on the stations and at Town Hall Station was just amazing,” Ms D’Antonio said.
“Driving one of the first trains into the tunnel is just amazing. My grandkids are so excited.”
For Ms D’Antonio, it’s something that runs in the family. She comes from a long line of public transport workers, dating back to her grandparents.
Ms D’Antonio and her daughter Danielle both drive for Metro Trains, while her husband Robert and son Benjamin are V/Line drivers.
The Metro Tunnel’s opening proved to be one for the ages, as hundreds of transport fans queued for hours at stations along the line to be among the first to experience the start of a new transport era for Melbourne on 30 November last year.
Ballarat Line passengers can now change at Footscary Station to a Sunbury Line service to access the project’s five new stations, including being able to catch a train to Parkville and St Kilda Road for the first time.
On 1 February, the Metro Tunnel will be fully integrated into the Victorian train network, with the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines running exclusively through the new tunnel, freeing up space in the City Loop for more services on
other lines.
Details: bigbuild.vic.gov.au/use-metro-tunnel/prepare/opening.
