The reconstruction of Frankston Station 2017 - 2018

Scenes from the reconstruction of Frankston Station. Video clips from 2017 and then approximately monthly from June 2018. The rebuilt station was officially opened on 6 October 2018.

Opening of Station St bridge across the Patterson River

The opening ceremony of the new bridge joining Station St Bonbeach with Carrum. Premier Daniel Andrews and Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny can be seen at 1:30. This bridge is associated with the upcoming road-rail grade separation at Carrum Station.

Premier announces orbital rail - via Facebook

At precisely this time (7:01am 28th August 2018) the premier Daniel Andrews announced on Facebook that Labor would build a suburban orbital rail loop from Cheltenham to Werribee to link most radial train lines.  

What became known as the SRL would dominate the 2018 state election campaign as well as being a major part of the 2022 campaign. Both delivered record majorities for the Andrews government. 

Codenamed 'Project Halo' the plan was cooked up by PWC consultants working with the premier's office.  Not even the Department of Transport knew it was being formulated. Its Secretary Andrew Bolt resigned shortly afterwards.

The SRL was popular, tapping into a legitimate shortcoming of Melbourne's public transport - that is that non-radial public transport was slow, infrequent and sometimes even missing. And Melbourne's surging population growth combined with low interest rates made now the right time to build something visionary. 

Daniel Bowen's write-up here. 

Note: This item added retrospectively for posterity.

Various train timetable changes commence today

The Mernda extension started yesterday. Other lines also got service changes. 

Most notable include 35 extra services for Werribee on weekday evenings and 80 extra weekly services for Cranbourne and Pakenham also on weekday evenings. The latter extends Dandenong's 10 minute frequency from Flinders St to 9:30pm.  

https://web.archive.org/web/20180915082121/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/meet-mernda-your-new-line/

Note: This item has been added retrospectively for future historical purposes. 

Mernda rail extension opens today

Today is Day One of the new Mernda line, extended from South Morang. It includes new stations at Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe. The off-peak service (ie 20 min interpeak and weekend, 30 min evening and 40 min Sunday am) remained the same but 45 peak services were added per week.

Archived PTV announcement here: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20180915082121/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/meet-mernda-your-new-line/

Brochure for the revised bus network available here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20190315200522/https://static.ptv.vic.gov.au/1532651160/PTVH2902-NSC-18-Campaign_Plenty-Valley_DL_12pp_v9_WEB.pdf

Note: This item has been posted retrospectively for historical purposes. 

The new Carnegie Station: Day One 18 June 2018

Along with Murrumbeena, the new Carnegie Station opened on 18 June 2018. The station is part of an ambitious program of grade separations along the Dandenong line. This section of track was elevated above the road, allowing traffic to pass unimpeded below.

The new Murrumbeena Station: Day One 18 June 2018

A visit to the new Murrumbeena Station on its first day of opening as an elevated station.

New Elevated Clayton Railway Station: Second day of operation

A look around the new Clayton station built as part of the grade separation of the Dandenong line above Clayton Rd.

Premier announces Rowville tram today

Today premier Daniel Andrews announced the planning and design for a Caulfield - Monash - Rowville tram. Read the release here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-tram-connect-citys-south-east

It was an election year, interest rates were super low and project cost escalation wasn't much of a thing. It seemed that you could build everything for almost nothing. 

After it announced the vastly bigger Suburban Rail Loop (which also served Monash) later in the year the government stopped talking about the tram. 

This Age article from 29 May 2019 is paywalled but the headline: Fears Caulfield to Rowville tram link on ice tells everything. Both Monash University and Chadstone Shopping Centre's owner has backed a private proposal for a 'trackless tram' but without state government support it's not going anywhere. 

Note: This item has been added retrospectively for posterity. 

Inside Melbourne's High Capacity Metro Trains

A look inside the mock-up train on display at Burrarung Marr by the Yarra during February 2018.

Bus changes in Parkville including 402 Sunday boost

From today the popular Route 402 bus improves from every 40 to every 20 min on Sundays with a later finish. More: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20180319081937/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/parkville

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity. 

First day of service at the new elevated Noble Park Station

First day of passenger train service at the new elevated Noble Park Station. Follows the line's rebuilding as an elevated structure that removes level crossings at Corrigan, Heatherton and Chandler roads in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs.

Road - Rail Grade separations at Noble Park: Sights and sounds

Taken early morning on 15 February 2018 on a walk from Springvale to Noble Park. This was the first day that passenger rail services were restored after a shutdown for the works. Previously cars had to wait for trains on Melbourne's busiest rail line.

A tour around St Albans Station - November 2017

St Albans Station on Melbourne's Sunbury line was rebuilt as part of the removal of the road/rail crossing at Main Rd. This is a photo tour of the rebuilt station. No sound.