First Metro Tunnel Drivers Share Special Memories
First Metro Tunnel Drivers Share Special Memories
Metro driver Anna Tirotta is now a part of Melbourne transport history, driving the first passenger service into the Metro Tunnel.
Anna was in the driver’s cabin for the first service to enter the project’s western entrance in Kensington during the historic opening on 30 November, 2025, and said the experience was a career highlight.
“Everyone was so excited, especially when we got to Footscray,” she said.
“I made a little announcement to say, ‘We’re going into the tunnel now, our next station will be Arden.’ There were cheers. I heard the train erupt. It was just fantastic.”
“It was an absolute honour to represent the driving grade and to be in the mix of the first drivers through the tunnel. It was exciting to be part of history.”
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams were among the passengers on the first train as part of the official opening.
“It was pretty special that they were on board and got to experience first-hand how happy Melbourne was,” Anna said.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of the city’s public transport system in 40 years, and it has doubled the size of Melbourne’s underground rail network.
The first train through the Metro Tunnel from Sunbury entered the tunnel at 10:04am on 30 November, marking the beginning of a new transport era for Melbourne.
The first services departed Sunbury at 9:28am and East Pakenham at 9:03am respectively – converging beneath the city and arriving almost simultaneously at Town Hall Station – before continuing their journeys along the 97-kilometre-long line.
Anthony Sutton, a driver of seven years, was in the cabin of the first train through the tunnel from East Pakenham. He said “this day will be hard to beat”.
“It was like a carnival atmosphere,” Anthony said.
“I made a little announcement, ‘Welcome to the Metro Tunnel’, and the cheers were just incredible.”
Hear from five of the first drivers to take passenger services through the Metro Tunnel in the video below.