An artist's impression of one of the planned Melbourne Metro stations. Opposition spokesman for public transport and planning David Davis told reporters on Monday that he wrote a letter to members of the Cross Yarra Partnership and the Stonnington and Port Phillip councils, saying the opposition would consider changes to the project that would link the busiest station outside the CBD with the twin underground tunnels, if it is elected next year. "The stupidity of not connecting South Yarra station – a major growth area – and in fact disconnecting two rail lines, Cranbourne and Pakenham, from South Yarra with this project cannot be overemphasised," Mr Davis said. "What is the government thinking not connecting that important station, a growing area and an area with very significant population growth?" In the letter, Mr Davis also flagged that the Coalition would consider changes to the location of the tunnel around the Domain station.

"The Coalition is prepared to work with the tender consortium to adjust key details of the project, including the precise alignment of the tunnel, particularly in relation to the location of the station near the Domain, to improve the outcome and functionality of the project." South Yarra station attracts 28,000 daily passengers, with an increase of 180 per cent between 2011 and 2016. Stonnington Council forecasts that daily patronage at South Yarra will rise to 40,000 by 2031, an increase of 43 per cent from 2016. The station serves as an interchange for four suburban lines, and stands less than 100 metres from the planned alignment of the Melbourne Metro. The Greens' transport spokesman Sam Hibbins​ said he supported the Coalition's announcement, but noted that "the Liberals cut South Yarra from Melbourne Metro when they were in government, then abandoned the project altogether".

"The state government should deliver the full Melbourne Metro including a South Yarra interchange, Melton electrification and Rowville line extension in order to realise the full benefits of this project," he said. The economic case for building the South Yarra station has been rated "very poor" in an analysis by the government's Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, which found that the cost and disruption – including the acquisition of more than 100 properties – would outweigh the passenger benefits. Daniel Bowen, spokesman for the Public Transport Users Association, said it was "understandable" that the government did not proceed with an underground interchange given that an analysis showed that building the interchange would cost $700-$940 million. But he said increasing the capacity of the busy station was necessary. "South Yarra station is a bottleneck in terms of passengers and it needs other upgrades to relieve crowding at peak times," he said.

On Monday, Premier Daniel Andrews also announced the signing of the $1.1 billion contract with CPB Contractors – which is also the preferred contractor for the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel – and Bombardier Transportation, for the roll out of high-capacity signalling. The technology will operate the 65 new high-capacity trains currently being built in Newport,and which will run on the Pakenham-Cranbourne and Sunbury lines. Mr Andrews said the project would create 7000 jobs and "gives us a public transport system that is worth leaving the car at home for". "This is the biggest public transport project in our country and is one that is so critically important to the future, not just of Melbourne but the entire state." The Premier said the contracts would be released to the public.