Melbourne’s $15.5 billion Metro Rail may not have an opening date, but the operator of the five-station underground train line is lining up coffee shops, convenience stores and sushi retailers for passengers when they finally do make it through the turnstiles.

Cross Yarra Partnership, the consortium tasked with delivering and operating the train stations, has leased 60 per cent of the almost-4000 square metres of retail space in the stations to brands including IGA, People’s Coffee, Sushi Sushi, Starbucks, KFC and 7-Eleven.