What you need to know about the Melbourne public transport update
In order to better meet the needs of our people – and, of course, hold our title as the world’s most livable city – Melbourne is racing ahead, revamping our public transport systems in a number of ways.
Changes are coming fast – so fast, in fact, that it can be a bit difficult to keep our heads around it all. That’s why we’ve taken the time to break down some important updates our valued customers should be aware of.
The need for change in Melbourne’s public transport system
People can’t seem to stop moving to Melbourne. Over the last seven years, the growth rate of Victoria’s capital city has surged well above the rest of the nation’s. In the last census, we added an average of 400 new residents each day!
We don’t blame them – as Melbourne residents know, the quality of life in our amazing city is truly unmatched. To maintain that standard, however, our infrastructure needs to grow and adapt. One such area service providers are particularly concerned with is transportation.
Our current systems can’t support the influx of new residents and here’s what is being done about it:
Improved train design
The new trains – which were first seen as a mock-up design last October – are now being finished. They will be seven-train cars with 510 seats. This is roughly the same number of seats in many of our current trains, but with a much greater amount of overall space for standing, bicycles and extra cargo. Moving between carriages will be much easier thanks to a wider connection section. There will also be added hand straps – 3 per section, instead of 2.
Seats also feature a new, attractive design and colour, as well as plastics treated to reduce vandalism. Priority seats have also been marked more clearly and moved so passenger intercoms can be reached.
New stations in the Metro Tunnel Project
The Metro Tunnel Project – expected to be finished by the end of 2025 – will add five new underground stations.
- Parkville,
- State Library,
- Town Hall,
- Anzac,
- North Melbourne.
The existing North Melbourne station will be renamed West Melbourne, a true indicator of the CBD’s expansion northward. These stations are great news for northsiders who want to enjoy fast, reliable access to Melbourne’s city centre.
The new North Melbourne Station will be situated near the corner of Arden and Laurens Street.
The acoustic sheds around the State Library Station precinct may seem calm, but they are hiding the progress well underway. Watch this space for the latest updates! pic.twitter.com/VLzy4MvTur
— Metro Tunnel (@metrotunnelvic) May 9, 2018
Level Crossing Removal
By the end of 2022, the Victorian Government will have removed 50 dangerous crossings across Melbourne. The project is well underway and several of the most congested crossings have already been removed.
There are several key benefits to fixing these risky crossings, including:
- Increased safety for drivers and pedestrians,
- Faster transport routes,
- More reliable roads,
- Job creation,
- Revitalised communities due to station rebuilds.
Myth. Busted.
#elevatedrail #freighttrains #transformingMelbourne pic.twitter.com/8Vhvk2lyvg— Level Crossings (@levelcrossings) February 22, 2018
Both the Federal and State Government have announced their 2018/2019 budgets this month with the Federal Government announcing that Victoria will receive close to $8 billion towards infrastructure and the State Government promising $1.9 billion will be allocated towards public transport.
Federal Government Key Promises:
- $5 billion towards a rail link to Melbourne Airport
- $1.75 billion towards the North East Link
- $475 million towards a rail link to Monash University’s Clayton campus
- $225 million towards the Frankston line
- $50 million to duplicate the rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds
State Government Key Promises:
-
- $313 million towards upgrading the Shepparton line
- $572 million to enable and plan for the duplication of the Cranbourne line
- $104 million towards five additional X’trapolis trains
- $89.4 million to extend and add services on the South Morang line to Mernda
- $60 million to build more than 2,000 extra car parking spaces at metropolitan stations
- $55.7 million towards improvements to metropolitan bus services
- $50 million for detailed planning of a fast train to Geelong integrated with an Airport Rail Link in Melbourne’s west
- $26.2 million towards V/Line services
- $16.3 million to make tram stops and train stations more accessible for people living with disability at Watergardens and Essendon stations
- $3 million for a light rail connection between Caulfield and Rowville
Airport Rail. Geelong Fast Rail. Here’s how we’re going to do it. pic.twitter.com/ahivW3eE4M
— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 26, 2018
Nelson Alexander: your real estate partner
As Melbourne continues to grow, we welcome new residents with open arms. Our team of agents and property managers want to make sure all of our clients are aware of the new and exciting developments in their communities. That’s why we’re here to answer any questions you might have.
To find out more, don’t hesitate to reach out today or drop into one of our offices.
