Grace Frost: The roar, the applause and the moment Melbourne's Metro Tunnel made history on the first trip from Sunbury

I was elated to get the call to cover the opening of the Metro Tunnel, knowing it would be a moment for the history books — but nothing could have prepared me for the crowds on that first ride from Sunbury, writes Grace Frost.

Sunday’s Metro Tunnel opening was a moment for the history books.

As a proud transport nerd, I have thrown myself into Metro Tunnel coverage since I started with the Herald Sun.

I’ve covered stuff ups and milestones, toured the stations before they were opened, talked my colleagues’ ears off about the new technology and – like many other Melburnians – dodged the plethora of works on my daily commute into the city.

Despite all that, nothing could have prepared me for today.

Bright and early at Sunbury station, I met with a tiny crowd of eager fans at the front of the line, parked with their camp chairs as the countdown to the inaugural Melbourne Central commenced. They’d waited years for this.

A crowd of eager transport enthusiasts flood into Sunbury Station to snag a seat on the first service through the Metro Tunnel. Picture: Grace Frost

Fraser Craig Hill are the first in line at Sunbury Station to board the inaugural Metro Tunnel service from Sunbury Station. Picture: Grace Frost

As the hours rolled by, hundreds more transport enthusiasts, families and commuters piled into the station. The crowd was electric. The nervous excitement was palpable.

Crowds beamed when Jacinta Allan came to say hello before boarding the train – but even meeting the Premier couldn’t trump the moment ahead.

Premier Jacinta Allan and transport minister Gabrielle Williams take a selfie on board the first train in the new Metro Tunnel from Sunbury. Picture: Josie Hayden

When that new high-capacity train pulled up to the platform, the crowd began to whoop and cheer.

When it pulled away and shot toward the city, they roared.

And when it made its detour from its usual route and instead entered the Metro Tunnel, hundreds of passengers in every carriage broke into an applause I will never forget.

The crowd roar on board the first service. Picture: Josie Hayden

Commuters cram into the first Metro Tunnel services. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

I jumped off at Town Hall station – and despite every job on my list, I had to take a second in the middle of it all to just watch.

Absolute astonishment plastered across faces. Phones pointed in every direction trying to capture the sheer scale of this underground masterpiece. Children, parents, friends – even dogs – filling the space we’d been only able to dream about since I was 12-years-old.

The atmosphere was calm and quiet inside the new Town Hall Station as commuters took in the new build. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

Families venture through the concourse at Town Hall Station. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

The brand new Town Hall Station opened on Sunday alongside another four Metro Tunnel stations. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

Crowds packed onto the 220m platform as they waited 20 minutes between each service. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

A cheering crowd welcome Jacinta Allan and Gabrielle Williams to Anzac Station. Picture: Josie Hayden

It’s easy to brush off politicians when they boast this project will change Melbourne.

But for the thousands to use the Metro Tunnel on opening day, we just witnessed the beginning of a new era for public transport in Victoria.

One that hopefully sparks transformation across the network for generations to come.

Originally published as Grace Frost: The roar, the applause and the moment Melbourne's Metro Tunnel made history on the first trip from Sunbury