Metro Tunnel services on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines experienced 89 train cancellations between Wednesday and Friday morning due to industrial action involving maintenance workers.
Industrial action at Pakenham East depot causes cancellations
The cancellations stem from industrial action by members of the Electrical Trades Union and Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union at Downer Group’s Pakenham East depot, responsible for maintaining Victoria’s High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT).
Since July 24, 2026, around 110 workers have engaged in half-day and full-day strikes, slowing HCMT maintenance and causing a reduced availability of trains.
Operational impacts and mitigation plans
An internal Metro Trains email revealed that on Thursday only 50 out of a 70-train HCMT fleet
were operational. This shortage forced cancellations and raised the possibility of partial line suspensions where trains might terminate before line ends.
Metro Trains currently operates 1200 weekly train services. The Metro Tunnel opened on November 30, 2025, initially on a limited timetable, before full operations began in February 2026.
Metro Trains is considering partial suspensions to maximize service for the majority of passengers and plans to supplement affected routes with bus services to mitigate disruption.
Official statements on industrial action and cancellations
A Metro Trains spokesperson confirmed the cancellations and advised passengers to plan journeys in advance, stating, “We thank passengers for their patience and we advise
passengers to plan their journey ahead of travelling.”
Downer, under contract with the Victorian government for HCMT maintenance, affirmed its commitment to constructive bargaining. A Downer spokesperson said, “Downer remains committed to the process and continues to engage constructively with bargaining representatives.”
The Victoria state government spokesperson expressed support for protected industrial action and urged good faith bargaining to resolve the dispute at the negotiating table.
Broader context and recent infrastructure developments
The Metro Tunnel is a $15 billion infrastructure project improving Melbourne’s public transport. It increased weekly train services to 1200 after full operation commenced in February 2026.
The current industrial dispute joins other state-wide
industrial actions affecting doctors and teachers, reflecting ongoing labour tensions in Victoria’s public services. The unions demand pay and conditions parity with workers at Metro, V/Line, and Yarra Trams.
Maintenance is complex and time-consuming, so delays caused by the industrial action at Downer’s Pakenham East depot have created a backlog that will persist even if the dispute ends.
