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 however, a revised version was leaked in 2019 making a few changes to the plan.[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 from PTV. The Regional Network Development Plan however was passed onto the government department Transport for Victoria, and which then was released in 2016. The primary aim of the metro 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 outlined immediate high priority goals to overcome urgent constraints, with a targeted completion date of 2016. By the end of 2018, all projects listed in Stage 1 had been completed.

Project name	Status	Starting date	Completion date	Notes
Regional Rail Link (including new stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale)	Completed	2013	2015[4]	Plans to electrify Wyndham Vale Line.
Extension of the Epping line to South Morang	Completed	2010	2012[5]	Now, the line has been extended to Mernda(completed 2018).
Electrification of Bendigo line to Sunbury	Completed	2010	2012[6]
Construction of Grovedale station in Grovedale (Geelong) on the Warrnambool Line	Completed	2014	2014[7]	Renamed Waurn Ponds
Construction of Williams Landing station in Point Cook on the Werribee line	Completed	2012	2013
Construction of Southland station adjacent to Westfield Southland on the Frankston line	Completed	2016	2017[8]
Construction of Lynbrook station in Lynbrook on the Cranbourne line	Completed	2010	2012[9]
Construction of Cardinia Road station in Pakenham on the Pakenham line	Completed	2010	2012[10]
Construction of Caroline Springs station in Ravenhall on the Serviceton line	Completed	2016	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	2012	2013	Included improved signalling between Eltham and Hurstbridge
7 X'Trapolis 100 trains	Completed	2015	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	2015	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	N/A	2016	65 trains ordered in September 2016
High capacity signalling trial on the Sandringham line	Underway	2020	2022	Trial announced for South Morang line in July 2017[19]

Stage 2

The second stage focused on creating a "metro-style" system by segregating operations and creating end-to-end lines, with a targeted completion date of 2022.

Project name	Status	Starting date	Completion date	Notes
Metro Tunnel	Under construction	2015	2025
Duplication of the Melton line	Under construction	2017	2019	Includes upgrades of stations and passing loops along the Ballarat line
Upgrades to the Dandenong rail corridor, including grade separations and signalling works	Completed	2016	2018
Duplication of the Hurstbridge line from Heidelberg to Rosanna	Completed	2017	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	2016	2023 (65 trains) --- (48 trains)	65 trains ordered in September 2016
Construction of Cobblebank station near Melton	Completed	2017	2019
A new railway station on Black Forest Road in Wyndham Vale	Planning	---	---	Part of future plans for an electrified Wyndham line
Major timetabling and operational changes to lines	Planning	N/A	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	---	---	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 unknown.

Project name	Status	Starting date	Completion date	Notes
Melbourne Airport rail line	Planning	2022	2027	PTV Airport Rail Link study released in 2013 supported an Albion alignment.
Doncaster line	Cancelled	Nil	Nil	Doncaster Rail study completed in 2014 showed preferred rail alignment Excluded in the revised plan.
Rowville line	---	---	---	Rowville study was completed in 2014, showing preferred alignment Light Rail to Rowville is currently being planned Currently moved into stage 6 of the revised plan
Melbourne Metro 2: A new tunnel between Clifton Hill & Southern Cross via Parkville	---	---	---	Doncaster Rail study addressed the need for this future tunnel Currently split differently in the new revised plan in stages 4/5
Electrification of the Serviceton line from Sunshine to Melton	Planning	2022	Not determined	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	---	---	Plans are underway under both State and Feds governments.
Duplication of the Cranbourne line from Dandenong to Cranbourne	Planning	2021	2023	Currently moved into stage 2 of the revised plan[21]
Duplication of the Hurstbridge line from Greensborough to Eltham	Planning	2020	2022	Currently moved into stage 2 of the revised plan
A new railway station on Sayers Road in Tarneit	Planning	---	---	Part of future plans for an electrified Wyndham line
A new railway station in Truganina	Planning	---	---	Part of future plans for an electrified Wyndham line
Order and deliver extra high capacity trains	Planning	---	---
High capacity signalling (Northern and Cross-City groups)	Unknown	---	---

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, most details about these projects are still unknown.

Project name	Status	Start date	Completion date	Notes
Quadruplication of the Lilydale line between Burnley and Camberwell	Cancelled	nil	nil	Excluded in the revised plan.
Duplication of the Lilydale line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale	---	---	---	Currently moved into stage 3 of the revised plan
Duplication of the Werribee line between the Altona Loop/Werribee junction and Seaholme	Planning	---	---	Planning for future duplication of the Altona line is underway. The loop has been partially duplicated from the West Newport Junction to the north of Seaholme Station as part of the Kororoit Creek Level Crossing Removal.
Electrification of the Warrnambool railway line from Sunshine to Geelong	Planning	---	---	Might happen as part of the planned high speed Geelong line Currently moved into stage 5 of the revised plan
Electrification of the North East line from Craigieburn to Wallan	Planning	---	---
Extension of the South Morang line from South Morang to Mernda	Completed	2015	2018[22]	Includes 2 new stations at Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe
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	---	---	Currently split differently in the new revised plan in stages 4/5
Reconfiguration of the City Loop	Unknown	---	---	Currently moved into stage 3 of the revised plan. Will be done on completion on Metro 1
Order and deliver extra high capacity trains	Unknown	---	---
High capacity signalling (Frankston and Glen Waverley/Alamein groups)	Unknown	---	---
Extension from Werribee to Wyndham Vale	Planning	---	---	Part of the future orbital loop planned

Reception and legacy

2018 Transport for Victoria plan

In October 2018, a Victorian Rail Plan prepared by Transport for Victoria (TFV) was leaked to the press, containing a similar staged approach to the PTV NDMPR. The plan, released during the campaign for that year's state election, caused some controversy, as government policy announcements did not align with the strategic priorities identified in the plan. The Suburban Rail Loop, in particular, did not appear, and the TFV plan was further criticised for failing to prioritise meaningful service increases for regional corridors in the earlier stages of the plan. Government representatives argued that the plan was an "internal working document" and not representative of government policy; Opposition politicians contended that the plan was representative of the government's priorities.[23][24]

Metro Tunnel Day One

The first stage of the TFV plan had an intended completion date of 2025, aligning with the start of service on the Metro Tunnel. Some of the projects are under construction.

Project Name	Status	Starting date	Completion date	Notes
Metro Tunnel	Under construction	2015	2025	Includes a turn back platform at West Footscray station Completion date is moved from 2026 to 2025
Cranbourne line duplication	Planning	2022	2025
Somerton Link (connecting Upfield Line to Craigieburn and Seymour lines)
Hurstbridge Line upgrade stage 2 (between Greensborough and Eltham)	Planning	2020	2022

Stage 3

Project name	Status	Starting date	Completion date	Notes
Melbourne Airport rail link (via Sunshine to Southern Cross)	Planning	2022	2027
City Loop reconfiguration (Frankston Line to run via Parliament, Melbourne Central, Flagstaff and North Melbourne to Craigieburn)
Burnley junction rationalisation
Melton electrification and quadruplication	Consultation	2022	Not determined	Part of the Western Rail plan
Wyndham Vale electrification and quadruplication	Consultation	2022	Not determined	Part of the Western Rail plan
Waurn Ponds duplication (between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds)	Planning	2023	2025
Extension of Cranbourne line to Clyde				Business case planned
Electrification of Stony Point line to Baxter				Business case planned
Duplication between Mooroolbark and Lilydale

Stage 4

The revised plan doesn't have a projected completion dates for stages 3–6.[25]

Project name	Status	Start date	Completion date	Notes
Melbourne Metro 2 West (Tunnel from Newport to Parkville via Fishermans Bend and Southern Cross)
Laverton and Williamstown line upgrade
Extension of Wyndham Vale line to Black Forest Road and connection with Werribee line				Potential connection for Suburban Rail Loop
Quadruplication from Sunshine to Watergardens
Electrification of Upfield line to Wallan via Somerton
Bendigo line upgrade		2020	2022
Shepparton line upgrade stage 2

Stage 5

Project name	Status	Start date	Completion date	Notes
Melbourne Metro 2 eastern section
New branch from Mernda line at Lalor to Wollert
Electrification of Geelong line
Additional stations on Deer Park–West Werribee railway line
Barwon South West line Intercity Upgrade
Gippsland line Intercity Upgrade
Loddon Mallee line Intercity Upgrade

Stage 6

Project date	Status	Start date	Completion date	Notes
Additional track pair between South Yarra and Caulfield
Additional track pair from Caulfield to Huntingdale
New branch line to Rowville
Additional track pair from Huntingdale to Dandenong
Additional track pair from Deer Park to Melton
Duplication from Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat
Additional track pair from Flinders Street to Southern Cross

See also

• Victorian Transport Plan

References

1. "Public Transport Victoria releases blueprint for rail network". Public Transport Victoria. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
2. Carey, Adam (28 March 2013). "A terrific, ambitious plan that just needs someone to fund it". The Age. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
3. Millar, Royce; Lucas, Clay (18 January 2011). "Metro on track, if not on time, with $20m profit". The Age. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
4. Schetzer, Alana (8 July 2015). "Ballarat train commuters suffer after Regional Rail Link opens". The Age. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
5. Carey, Adam (23 April 2012). "South Morang finally gets its line". The Age. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
6. "Electric train a tad late, but Sunbury residents aren't complaining". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
7. Linley, Margaret (12 October 2014). "Geelong's newest train station opens at Waurn Ponds". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
8. 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.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
9. "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.
10. Taylor, James (1 April 2012). "Ready to roll at Cardinia Road". Casey Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014.
11. McRae, Ewen (30 January 2017). "Caroline Springs station opens". Brimbank & North West Star Weekly. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
12. "Melbourne's latest train station may reach capacity on second day". ABC News. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
13. "Victoria orders more X'Trapolis EMUs". Railway Gazette. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
14. "Alstom to supply more X'Trapolis EMUs to Melbourne". Railway Gazette. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
15. Probert, Oliver (22 February 2017). "Contract signed for 9 more X'Trapolis trains – Rail Express". Rail Express. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
16. Probert, Oliver (5 May 2015). "11 rail commitments in Victorian Budget". Rail Express. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
17. Devic, Aleks (27 April 2016). "Billions for public transport overhaul". Herald Sun. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
18. "Bombardier to supply more VLocity DMUs". Railway Gazette. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
19. Carey, Adam (18 July 2017). "Bombardier wins $1b contract to fit Metro Tunnel with high-capacity signalling". The Age. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
20. "New Rosanna Station opens, with two level crossings gone for good | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
21. https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/cranbourne-line-upgrade
22. Stayner, Guy (28 February 2016). "Mernda Rail Extension construction to start next year". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
23. Carey, Adam (16 October 2018). "Leaked rail plan shows few extra services for regional commuters". The Age. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
24. Lund, Andrew (16 October 2018). "Exclusive: Secret rail blueprint for Melbourne revealed". 9 News. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
25. "Exclusive: Secret rail blueprint for Melbourne revealed". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2018.

External links

• Official website