The Victorian government has backflipped on an oversight that would make Melbourne home to the country's first pedestrian tollway.
The Victorian government has scrambled to fix an oversight that would make Melbourne home to the country's first pedestrian tollway when the Metro Tunnel opens this weekend.
The more-than-$13 billion project, which included the construction of 9km twin tunnels under Melbourne's CBD and five new underground stations, is set to open this Sunday.
But an underpass connecting two CBD stations was thrown into the spotlight today when it was revealed pedestrians using the walkway to access shops at Melbourne Central would need to pay more than $5.
READ MORE: Two young women facing life in prison over $33 million find in their suitcases
Situated just metres apart, the State Library and Melbourne Central stations share an underground concourse on La Trobe Street.
But pedestrians who want to avoid foot traffic or bad weather by using the underpass were told they would be charged a full fare when they tap on at the State Library and exit less than 50 metres away at Melbourne Central.
"It's a ticketed train station area... I don't think it's that confusing," Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said.
Premier Jacinta Allan told media today that Myki's change-of-mind policy, which doesn't charge commuters who tap on and off at the same station within 15 minutes, would apply.
https://x.com/metrotunnelvic/status/1993179448758485169?s=46&t=cEzraAkIJjokwmcV4Qu_MQBut that message was at odds with a post on Metro Tunnel's social media.
"Touching on your myki at State Library Station and touching off at Melbourne Central Station will be counted as a trip and your myki will be charged," Metro Tunnel said on X last night.
READ MORE: Severe thunderstorms across NSW cause public transport delays
The state government backflipped on its stance late today, confirming it intends to leave a gate open at the stations to allow pedestrians to travel through the underpass for free.
"As a result of building five brand new stations, two of which connect to existing stations, we want to make them fully accessible because we want Victorians to make the most of them," a government spokesperson said.
"We will have one gate open at both Town Hall and State Library stations to provide a free thoroughfare and Metro Trains staff will be out in force to help passengers.
"These underpasses will be open to everyone with no Myki required."
Town Hall Station is located on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, near Flinders Street Station.
READ MORE: NZ mum handed life in prison for murdering her children
The Metro Tunnel has been in the pipeline for 10 years making Sunday's grand opening long-awaited.
But it will be nearly another year before all the station entries are open.
The Flinders Street Station entrance at Young and Jacksons will open early next year, while the entry at Federation Square is still another year off.
To celebrate the opening, the state government is offering free public transport on weekends from November 30 to February 1.
From November 30, 240 extra train services will run through the tunnel as the service integrates into the network.
The Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines will run exclusively through the new tunnels from February.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Thirty-six dead, hundreds missing as Hong Kong high-rise buildings burn
$5 billion early Christmas gift could be on the cards for every Aussie
Melbourne former childcare worker charged over alleged assault of toddler
WA councillor who tried to expense a drink at Adelaide strip club resigns
No daily drug tests for pilots before Sea World crash, inquest hears
Accused Easey Street killer to stand trial on two counts of murder
Specialist police launch new search for missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy
Wild NSW storms kill one man and leave 100,000 in the dark
Aussie content creators react to social media ban
These dangerous texts are flooding millions of Aussies' phones
Gramma, a 141-year-old Galapagos tortoise, dies in US
Delivery driver's scooter stolen in brazen daylight street robbery
Elderly man rescued from Victorian river after mobility scooter fail
Rock-star fame as bad for you as smoking, study claims
