Melbourne Metro 2

The projects suggested by the NDMPR focused both on increasing the capacity of the central rail system and extending the network's reach to serve the growing outer suburbs of Melbourne.

To achieve this goal, PTV argued it would be necessary to invest in major infrastructure, starting with the Metro Tunnel, to segregate railway lines on their journey through the city, to maximise the connectivity of the system and minimise the possibility of disruption.

[6] At the same time, the newspaper reported that the state government of premier Daniel Andrews was broadly supportive of the need for a second major rail project at the completion of the Metro Tunnel.

Although the state government suggested an extension of the tram network could be built to serve the facility, treasurer Tim Pallas admitted that a heavy rail line through the area was unlikely to proceed in the near future.

[13] Then, at the end of May, a report commissioned by Infrastructure Victoria and produced by engineering consultants Arup found that MM2 would be more beneficial to the city than either of the two road projects being promoted ahead of the state election in November.

The analysis suggested that MM2 would have a transformative impact on road congestion and consequently on the efficient transport of freight, but would be unlikely to ever produce a positive cost-benefit ratio using traditional methodology.

[20] The Stage 4 service plan in the 2012 NDPMR suggested that the tunnel – terminating at Fishermans Bend – would carry 15 trains an hour in peak times, most running the full length of the line from Mernda and Hurstbridge.