Race the ‘Munnel’: Runner, cyclist clock faster commute than Metro Tunnel’s soft launch service in race from Anzac to Parkville

A group of journalists has raced the Metro Tunnel’s soft launch train service across the city, with the $15bn service unable to keep up with those on bike, foot and tram. WATCH THE RACE

A runner, tram, cyclist and even driver battling Melbourne traffic have outpaced the new high-tech Metro Tunnel train service during its soft launch timetable, a Herald Sun race has found.

Five reporters met at the Shrine of Remembrance on Monday to put the new metro service to the ultimate test with a race across the city to University Square, each using a different form of transport to make the journey.

The Herald Sun’s David Caird, Dan Coates, Grace Frost, Ryan Bourke and Harvey Constable race Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel. Picture: David Caird

Commuters are now able to cut through the CBD on rail with a nine-minute service through the Metro Tunnel between Anzac Station on St Kilda Rd and Parkville Station in Carlton.

But the Allan government is running a “soft launch” timetable throughout December and January with trains only running only every 20-minutes before a “big switch” to the promised turn-up-and-go timetable in February.

It meant that journalist Grace Frost – who took the Metro Tunnel to Parkville in the race against her colleagues – took 35 minutes to arrive, finishing behind all four of her competitors.

Making it across the finish line first on his bike, videographer Dan Coates arrived at University Square after just 13 minutes of pedalling.

On his tail, journalist Ryan Bourke ran city streets, briefly stopping at traffic lights, to make it in 20 minutes.

Photographer David Caird managed to not only drive through the CBD, but also snag a park and walk to the square before the Metro Tunnel service had arrived into Parkville.

In fourth place, journalist Harvey Constable trammed to University Square in just 23 minutes.

But stuck behind the pack, Frost had only just boarded the 10.27am Metro Tunnel service from Anzac Station.

Metro Tunnel trains had commenced at 10am, but with only a select few services running throughout the next two months for the Allan government’s “Summer Start” program, she copped a 13-minute wait at the station during the competition.

Trains are running every 20 minutes during the soft launch of the Metro Tunnel. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

In February, the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines will switch to exclusive use of the Metro Tunnel — which has already adopted the nickname “Munnel” — and trains will then arrive every three to four minutes.

The Herald Sun plans to race again when that switch happens – but even at its peak operating ability, the cyclist and runner are likely to triumph again.

The Summer Start timetable is designed to give Metro Tunnel line users a simpler transition from City Loop to tunnel services, as well as iron out any issues before a packed timetable.

Those services run from 10am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 7pm on weekends between Westall and West Footscray.

Originally published as Race the ‘Munnel’: Runner, cyclist clock faster commute than Metro Tunnel’s soft launch service in race from Anzac to Parkville