TT 245: Every 10 versus every 15 minutes - how frequent should future Metro train services run?

After a slow decade where Melbourne hardly improved its off-peak Metro train frequencies, the last year has seen some significant action. The February 2026 Metro Tunnel timetable cut maximum waits on the Sunbury - Pakenham/Cranbourne corridor while the August 2026 timetable cut maximum waits on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Mernda, Hurstbridge and Sandringham lines. The infamous Sunday morning 40 minute gaps are now gone and many more lines have 20 rather than 30 minute evening service. Sunbury, Craigieburn and Upfield were the big winners - their maximum waits fell from 40 to 20 minutes. 30 minute gaps remain to Mernda, Eltham, Ringwood, Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley. Some (Clifton Hill group weekend evenings and Burnley group weeknights) will be closed to 20 minutes after all the 2026 budget funded upgrades are implemented. This is likely next year. After then the remaining unfunded 30 minute gaps include weeknights on the Clifton Hill group, weekend evenings and Sunday…