Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail
The Network Development Plan Metropolitan Rail is a long-term development plan for the rail network of Melbourne, Australia. It was carried out by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and released to the public on 27 March 2013.[1]
The plan will eventually affect metropolitan and regional rail, trams and buses. However, only the metropolitan rail aspect of the plan has been finalised and released to the public. The primary aim of the rail plan is to improve the efficiency, reliability and patronage of Melbourne's train network. It sets out a number of concrete goals over four stages, to be carried out over 20 years. Public Transport Victoria CEO Ian Dobbs estimated the whole plan would cost about $30 billion.[2]
Background
The Public Transport Development Authority, later trading as Public Transport Victoria, was established by the Victorian government under Premier Ted Baillieu with the intent of, among other things, closely examining the operations of the rail network.[3]
Plan
Stage 1
This stage outlines the immediate high priority goals to overcome current constraints, most of which are already under construction or have allocated funding. They are to be completed during or before 2016. As of 2018, Stage 1 of the plan has been mostly completed.
| Project name | Status | Completion date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Rail Link (including new stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale) | Completed | June 2015[4] | |
| Extension of the Epping line to South Morang | Completed | April 2012[5] | |
| Electrification of Bendigo line to Sunbury | Completed | November 2012[6] | |
| Construction of Grovedale station in Grovedale (Geelong) on the Port Fairy line | Completed | October 2014[7] | Renamed Waurn Ponds |
| Construction of Williams Landing station in Point Cook on the Werribee line | Completed | April 2013 | |
| Construction of Southland station adjacent to Westfield Southland on the Frankston line | Completed | November 2017[8] | |
| Construction of Lynbrook station in Lynbrook on the Cranbourne line | Completed | April 2012[9] | |
| Construction of Cardinia Road station in Pakenham on the Pakenham line | Completed | April 2012[10] | |
| Construction of Caroline Springs station in Ravenhall on the Serviceton line | Completed | January 2017[11] | Initially construction started on a single platform station; scope expanded to double platform station after Melton duplication announced[12] |
| Hurstbridge line upgrade and new stabling facility at Eltham station | | Completed | Early 2013 | Included improved signalling between Eltham and Hurstbridge |
| 7 X'Trapolis 100 trains | Completed | February 2017 | 5 trains ordered in March 2015,[13] another 5 ordered in April 2016;[14] 9 more ordered in February 2017;[15]
5 more ordered in May 2018. |
| 40 VLocity carriages | Completed | 2018 | 21 carriages ordered in May 2015,[16] another 27 ordered April 2016,[17] 27 further in December 2017.[18] |
| Order 33 High Capacity Metro Trains | Completed | September 2016 | 65 trains ordered in September 2016 |
| High capacity signalling trial on the Sandringham line | Underway | 2022 | Trial announced for South Morang line in July 2017[19] |
Stage 2
This stage is about the introduction of a metro-style system in Melbourne with segregated, independently operating lines. The projects are set to be complete within 10 years, before 2022.
Most of these projects are under-construction in the current state government agenda. By 2025, most of these projects are set to be completed, with exception to HCS which is still quite delayed in its implementation.
| Project name | Status | Completion date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Metro Rail Project (AKA Metro Tunnel) | Under
construction |
2025 | Includes a turn back platform at West Footscray station
Completion date is moved from 2026 to 2025 |
| Duplication of the Melton line | Under
construction |
2019 | Includes upgrades of stations and passing loops along the Ballarat line |
| Upgrades to the Dandenong rail corridor,
including grade separations and signalling works |
Under
construction |
November 2018 | |
| Heidelberg to Rosanna duplication | Completed | May 2018[20] | Done in conjunction with level crossing removal program |
| Delivery of initial order of 33 High Capacity Metro Trains,
and the further order and delivery of 70 trains |
Under construction | 2023 (65 trains)
--- (next order) |
65 trains ordered in September 2016 |
| A new railway station in the new suburb of Toolern, near Melton | Under construction | 2019 | |
| A new railway station on Black Forest Road in Wyndham Vale | Planning | 2025+ | May become part of the future electrified Wyndham line planned in state budget 2018 |
| Major timetabling and operational changes to lines | Planning | 2025 | Planned to happen after Metro tunnel opens in 2025. |
| Installation of high-capacity signalling on Sandringham,
South Morang & Hurstbridge lines and between Sunbury and South Yarra stations |
Planning | N/A | High-capacity signalling planned to be installed between Watergardens and Dandenong via Metro tunnel by 2025 |
Stage 3
This stage focuses on extending the network to growth areas and suburbs without railway access, and utilising the preceding growth in capacity. It is to be completed within 15 years, before 2027.
Most projects are planned to happen in the next decade. Some have been deferred or/and replaced by other means (eg. Rowville heavy rail -> light rail, Doncaster heavy rail -> busway). Implementation of HCS across the network is still quite unknown.
| Project name | Status | Completion date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Airport rail line | Planning | 2025+ | PTV Airport Rail Link study released in 2013 supported an Albion alignment.
30 million was allocated to a new study on the Airport rail link in 2017 5 Billion committed by Feds in April 2018 State budget 2018 committed to plan the link as part of a broader rail program |
| Doncaster line | Deferred | N/A | Doncaster Rail study completed in 2014 showed a rail alignment
running along Eastern Freeway, terminating at the Doncaster Park and Ride. Unlikely to happen due to the North East Link road project. |
| Rowville line | Deferred | N/A | Rowville study was completed in 2014, alignment via Monash as a branch line
In April 2018 Light Rail Line to Rowville is currently being planned |
| Melbourne Metro 2: A new tunnel between Clifton Hill & Southern Cross via Parkville | Planning | 2025+ | Doncaster Rail study addressed the need for a future tunnel to increase
the capacity of the Hurstbridge and South Morang lines Might be part of the express Geelong line proposed in State Budget 2018 |
| Electrification of the Serviceton line from Sunshine to Melton | Planning | 2025+ | Duplication of the Melton line has provision for future electrification of the line |
| Electrification of the Stony Point line from Frankston to Baxter station | Planning | Unknown | Plans are underway under both State and Feds governments. |
| Duplication of the Cranbourne line from Dandenong to Cranbourne | Planning | 2025 | A passing loop was created after Lynbrook station was built.
Partial duplication is now complete between Dandenong and Greens Road |
| Duplication of the Hurstbridge line from Greensborough to Eltham | Planning | 2022 | |
| A new railway station on Sayers Road in Tarneit | Planning | 2025+ | May become part of the future electrified Wyndham line planned in state budget 2018 |
| A new railway station in Truganina | Planning | 2025+ | May become part of the future electrified Wyndham line planned in state budget 2018 |
| Order and deliver extra high capacity trains | Planning | N/A | |
| High capacity signalling (Northern and Cross-City groups) | Unknown | N/A |
Stage 4
The final stage involves further utilisation of extra capacity and preparing for future growth in Melbourne. The stage is to be carried out within 20 years, before 2032.
The reconfiguration of the metropolitan rail network will create seven independently operated lines similar to other rapid transit systems
Some projects listed are planned to be completed in the next decade but are still in their early stages. As of April 2018,[update] most details about these projects are still unknown.
| Project name | Status | Completion date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadruplication of the Lilydale line between Burnley and Camberwell | Unknown | N/A | |
| Duplication of the Lilydale line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale | Unknown | N/A | |
| Duplication of the Werribee line between the Altona Loop/Werribee junction and Seaholme | Planning | N/A | Partial duplication under construction in conjunction with level crossing removal program.
Planning for future duplication of the Altona line is underway |
| Electrification of the Port Fairy line from Sunshine to Geelong | Planning | 2025+ | May happen as part of the Express Geelong service planned in state budget 2018 |
| Electrification of the North East line from Craigieburn to Wallan | Planning | 2025+ | Part of a broader program of electrifying to Wallan in state budget 2018 |
| Extension of the South Morang line from South Morang to Mernda | Completed | 2018[21] | |
| Extension from Werribee to Wyndham Vale | Planning | 2025+ | Part of a broader program of electrifying to Wyndham Vale in state budget 2018 |
| Extension of the South Morang line to Fishermans Bend, with the
future potential to extend the railway in a tunnel under the Yarra River to Newport (AKA Metro Tunnel 2) |
Planning | 2025+ | May happen as part of the Express Geelong service planned in state budget 2018 |
| Reconfiguration of the City Loop | Unknown | N/A | |
| Order and deliver extra high capacity trains | Unknown | N/A | |
| High capacity signalling (Frankston and Glen Waverley/Alamein groups) | Unknown | N/A |
See also
References
- ^ "Public Transport Victoria releases blueprint for rail network". Public Transport Victoria. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ Carey, Adam (28 March 2013). "A terrific, ambitious plan that just needs someone to fund it". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ Millar, Royce; Lucas, Clay (18 January 2011). "Metro on track, if not on time, with $20m profit". The Age. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Schetzer, Alana (8 July 2015). "Ballarat train commuters suffer after Regional Rail Link opens". The Age. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ Carey, Adam (23 April 2012). "South Morang finally gets its line". The Age. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "Electric train a tad late, but Sunbury residents aren't complaining". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ Linley, Margaret (12 October 2014). "Geelong's newest train station opens at Waurn Ponds". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ Carmody, Broede (15 August 2016). "Southland Station construction starts, some Frankston line disruption to follow". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Community event to mark opening of Lynbrook station on Sunday 22 April". Premier of Victoria. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013.
- ^ Taylor, James (1 April 2012). "Ready to roll at Cardinia Road". Casey Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014.
- ^ McRae, Ewen (30 January 2017). "Caroline Springs station opens". Brimbank & North West Star Weekly. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Melbourne's latest train station may reach capacity on second day". ABC News. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Victoria orders more X'Trapolis EMUs". Railway Gazette. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Alstom to supply more X'Trapolis EMUs to Melbourne". Railway Gazette. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Probert, Oliver (22 February 2017). "Contract signed for 9 more X'Trapolis trains – Rail Express". Rail Express. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Probert, Oliver (5 May 2015). "11 rail commitments in Victorian Budget". Rail Express. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ Devic, Aleks (27 April 2016). "Billions for public transport overhaul". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "Bombardier to supply more VLocity DMUs". Railway Gazette. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ Carey, Adam (18 July 2017). "Bombardier wins $1b contract to fit Metro Tunnel with high-capacity signalling". The Age. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "New Rosanna Station opens, with two level crossings gone for good | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ Stayner, Guy (28 February 2016). "Mernda Rail Extension construction to start next year". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2018.