The MR4 franchise covers the operations and maintenance of Melbourne’s metropolitan passenger rail network, awarded to Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) in November 2017 for an initial seven-year term, with options to extend by up to three years.
The franchise, initially valued at $6.3 billion, has since been extended twice
Key Dates
| Nov 2017 | Contract Award |
| Nov 2027 | Operations/Service Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) |
| Successful Tenderer: | Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Nov 2017 | The MR4 Melbourne Train Franchise was awarded in November 2017 to Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) – a consortium of UGL Rail, John Holland and MTR Corporation – for an initial seven-year term, with options to extend up to three years. |
| Mar 2023 | The Victorian Government announced an 18-month extension of the contract from November 2024 to May 2026. This was to ensure operational readiness during the opening phase of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel – due to open in 2025. |
| May 2024 | The Victorian Government exercised the option to further extend the contract to November 2027. The Metro Tunnel was originally expected to open in September 2024. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2025)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Service Contract |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
