Train drivers were stranded in Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel for almost five hours when a systems fault brought trains to a standstill during test operations last week.

The incident comes just months before the $15 billion underground train line opens to the public, with the Allan government promising it will be taking passengers by the end of this year.

An email sent to Metro Trains staff on Tuesday morning sought to reassure drivers about the fault, which occurred last Monday while operating test trains from West Footscray to Hawksburn through the tunnel.

“There was an incident that involved all trains being brought to a stand in the tunnel and then moved to platforms to hold,” says the email seen by The Age .

“Some drivers had to remain in their cab at a platform for approximately

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