Stage 4 of the Network Development Plan Metropolitan Rail for Melbourne's rail network, showing changes suggested to take place within 20 years of 2013.
The Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail was a long-term development plan for the rail network of Melbourne, Australia. It was written by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and released to the public on 27 March 2013 under the Napthine government and received minor updates in 2016.[1]
Similar plans were intended to be released for regional rail, trams and buses. However, only the metropolitan rail aspect of the plan was released to the public by PTV. The Regional Network Development Plan was released by the Victorian Department of Transport in 2016.[2]
The primary aim of the metropolitan rail plan was to improve the efficiency, reliability and patronage of Melbourne's train network and transition it towards a rapid transit system. It set out a number of goals over four stages, to be carried out over 20 years. Then-CEO of PTV Ian Dobbs (whose contract was not renewed in 2015) estimated the whole plan would cost about $30 billion.[3]
In 2019 PTV was abolished as an independent, statutory government body and absorbed into the Victorian Department of Transport. The plan was influential on Melbourne's transport planning but does not represent current government policy.
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, planning and improving the operations of the rail network.[4]
Plan
Below is the initial timeline of Stages 1–4 of the Network Development Plan of Metropolitan Rail which was released in 2013
Stage 1: (Timeline 2012 – 2016)
This stage outlined immediate high priority goals to overcome urgent constraints, with a targeted completion date of 2016.[1] All projects listed in Stage 1 had been completed in 2022.
Stage 2: (Timeline 2016 – 2022)
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.[1] It is expected that most projects in stage 2 will be completed by 2025.
Stage 3: (Timeline 2022 – 2027)
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.
Some projects are planned to happen in the next decade. Some projects may be built in a different form of transit, such as Rowville line becoming a possible light rail corridor or Doncaster line becoming a proper bus rapid transit corridor.
Implementation of HCS across the network is uncertain as of 2023.
Stage 4: (Timeline 2027 – 2032)
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.[1]
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.
Revised Plan - 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.[25][26]
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.
Revised Plan Stages 3-6
Stage 3: (Timeline 2022 – 2027)
Stage 4: (Timeline 2027 – 2032)
Stage 5
A timeframe of Stages 5 & 6 are not yet published.
^ a b c dVictoria, Public Transport. "Growing Our Rail Network 2018–2025: 2012 Network Development Plan – Metropolitan Rail". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
^Planning, Department of Transport and. "Regional Network Development Plan". dtp.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
^Carey, Adam (28 March 2013). "A terrific, ambitious plan that just needs someone to fund it". The Age. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
^Millar, Royce; Lucas, Clay (18 January 2011). "Metro on track, if not on time, with $20m profit". The Age. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^Schetzer, Alana (8 July 2015). "Ballarat train commuters suffer after Regional Rail Link opens". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
^Carey, Adam (23 April 2012). "South Morang finally gets its line". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
^"Electric train a tad late, but Sunbury residents aren't complaining". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 18 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. 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}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"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.
^McRae, Ewen (30 January 2017). "Caroline Springs station opens". Brimbank & North West Star Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^"Melbourne's latest train station may reach capacity on second day". ABC News. 28 January 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^Carey, Adam (18 July 2017). "Bombardier wins $1b contract to fit Metro Tunnel with high-capacity signalling". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
^"Victoria orders more X'Trapolis EMUs". Railway Gazette. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^"Alstom to supply more X'Trapolis EMUs to Melbourne". Railway Gazette. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^Probert, Oliver (22 February 2017). "Contract signed for 9 more X'Trapolis trains – Rail Express". Rail Express. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
^Probert, Oliver (5 May 2015). "11 rail commitments in Victorian Budget". Rail Express. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
^Devic, Aleks (27 April 2016). "Billions for public transport overhaul". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
^"Bombardier to supply more VLocity DMUs". Railway Gazette. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
^"New Rosanna Station opens, with two level crossings gone for good | Level Crossing Removal Authority". levelcrossings.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
^"Questions on Notice Constituency Questions No 269". parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
^ a bBuild, Victoria’s Big (25 January 2021). "Cranbourne Line Upgrade". Victoria’s Big Build. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
^ a bJacks, Timna (23 June 2021). "Butterfly flaps its wings in Montmorency – and upends $530m rail plan". The Age. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
^Stayner, Guy (28 February 2016). "Mernda Rail Extension construction to start next year". ABC News. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
^Carey, Adam (16 October 2018). "Leaked rail plan shows few extra services for regional commuters". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
^Lund, Andrew (16 October 2018). "Exclusive: Secret rail blueprint for Melbourne revealed". 9 News. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
