Parliament railway station

This article is about the commuter rail station in Melbourne, Australia. For the light rail station in Ottawa, Canada, see Parliament station.

Parliament railway station is a commuter railway station adjacent to the border between the Melbourne CBD and the suburb of East Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. The station has two island platforms in a two-floor configuration, connected to street level via two underground concourses.^[4]

Parliament
PTV commuter rail station
Southbound view from Platform 3, March 2020
General information
Location	Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 City of Melbourne Australia
Coordinates	37°48′41″S 144°58′23″E / 37.81139°S 144.97306°E / -37.81139; 144.97306
Owned by	VicTrack
Operated by	Metro Trains
Line(s)	Hurstbridge Mernda Pakenham Cranbourne Lilydale Belgrave Alamein^[a] Glen Waverley Craigieburn Upfield Sunbury
Platforms	4 (2 island)
Tracks	4
Connections	Tram
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Depth	40 m^[1]
Platform levels	2
Accessible	Yes—step free access
Other information
Status	Operational, premium station
Station code	PAR
Fare zone	Myki Zone 1
Website	Public Transport Victoria
History
Opened	22 January 1983; 41 years ago (1983-01-22)
Electrified	1500 V DC overhead (January 1981)
Passengers
2008–2009	10.276 million^[2]
2009–2010	10.484 million^[2]  2.03%
2010–2011	10.757 million^[2]  2.6%
2011–2012	10.734 million^[2]  0.22%
2012–2013	Not measured^[2]
2013–2014	10.963 million^[2]  2.14%
2014–2015	Not measured^[3]
2015–2016	10.058 million^[3]  8.25%
2016–2017	9.855 million^[3]  2.02%
2017–2018	10.199 million^[3]  3.48%
Services
Preceding station Metro Trains Following station Melbourne Central One-way operation Mernda line Jolimont towards Mernda Hurstbridge line Jolimont towards Hurstbridge Melbourne Central towards Flinders Street Pakenham line Richmond One-way operation Cranbourne line Direction of travel on metropolitan lines below between stations on the City Loop changes to either Melbourne Central or Flinders Street depending on the line and time of day. Melbourne Central towards Flinders Street Lilydale line Richmond towards Lilydale or Belgrave Belgrave line Alamein line Select weekday peak services only Richmond towards Alamein Glen Waverley line Richmond towards Glen Waverley Melbourne Central towards Upfield Upfield line Flinders Street Terminus Melbourne Central towards Craigieburn Craigieburn line Melbourne Central towards Sunbury Sunbury line Future services (2025) Melbourne Central towards Flinders Street Frankston line Richmond towards Frankston
Track layout Legend to Melbourne Central 1 3 L1 (upper) 2 4 L2 (lower) to Flinders Street to Jolimont to Richmond

Parliament station opened in 1983, and it was named after the Parliament House, which is located just east of the station.^[5][6] During the station's construction, the platforms of the station were built through tunneling.^[1] When the station opened, it had the longest escalator in the Southern Hemisphere but, in 2022, the escalators at Airport Central station in Perth exceeded that.^[7][8][9]

Parliament is one of the three underground stations on the City Loop, which is served by eleven lines organised into four groups. The station is also served by two tram routes on Bourke Street, four tram routes on Macarthur Street, and three tram routes on Spring Street.

Description

 

Picture taken from the escalator at Parliament station facing towards the exit to Lonsdale Street

 

Spring Street entrance to Parliament station, 2004

Parliament station is on the border of the Melbourne CBD and the suburb of East Melbourne. East of the main entrance is Macarthur Street and Spring Street, and Collins Street is to the south. The station is near Parliament House, hence the station's name.^[4][5] Parliament station is owned by VicTrack, a state government agency, and is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne.^[10][11] The station is approximately 4.3 kilometres (2.7 mi), or around a 7-minute train journey, from Flinders Street.^[12][13]

Parliament station has two island platforms in a two-level configuration. The platforms are approximately 160 metres (520 ft) long, which can accommodate a 7-car HCMT.^{[4][better source needed]} In addition to the two platform levels, there are two underground concourses. The northern concourse is connected to street level via an exit on Lonsdale Street, and the southern concourse is connected to street level via an exit on Macarthur Street and two exits on Spring Street.^[14]

The station is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as there are lifts linking the concourse with both the platforms and street level.^{[15][better source needed]} It has no parking facilities.^[4]

History

 

The logo of the Melbourne Underground Rail Authority which was responsible for the construction of the City Loop

Parliament station was one of three underground stations included in the construction plan of the new City Loop, overseen by the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Authority (MURLA), formed in 1971.^[6]

The station platforms were constructed using tunnelling methods. A pilot tunnel was made, enabling the walls to be constructed ahead of the main excavation. Each platform is an individual tunnel and is linked to the other platforms at the same level by several cross tunnels. That choice of design mean that the remaining pillar of rock between the tunnels too weak to support the required loads, so it was replaced with concrete.^[1]

The booking hall to the south was constructed "upside down", with the support columns being dug with augers from ground level, then filled with concrete. The roof was constructed over the piles from ground level, during a series of staged road closures. Once complete, the excavation of the booking hall was carried out underneath, while road traffic continued overhead. During construction, the fence around Parliament House had to be removed and stored, then re-erected.^[16]

The station opened on 22 January 1983.^[1] At the time of opening, the station had the longest escalators in the Southern Hemisphere,^[17] but they have since been surpassed by Airport Central railway station in Perth, opened in October 2022.^[7][18]

On 31 January 2021, a major timetable revision occurred to allow for the operation of the High Capacity Metro Trains, as well as more frequent services on both the Northern and Caulfield Groups. That included the removal of Frankston, Sandringham and Werribee lines from the City Loop.,^[19] However, the Victorian State Government intends that the Frankston line will recommence operations through the City Loop in 2025, once the new Metro Tunnel is opened.^[20][21]

In 2022 and early 2023, works began to upgrade safety features at the three city loop stations. In 2022, a new intruder alarm system was installed. On 6 February 2023, early works commenced for stage 2 at Parliament station, which were expected to be complete by late 2023.^[22][23]
The improvements include:^[23]

• Upgrading ventilation shafts
• Replacing existing ceiling panels
• Upgrading fire sprinkler systems
• Installation of new fire detection systems

Platforms and services

 

Passenger information display at Parliament station

Parliament station is served by 11 lines which are separated into four groups and are operated by Metro Trains Melbourne.^[24]

Platform 1 is served by the Clifton Hill group, which consists of the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines. Services run clockwise, first stopping at Jolimont and then travelling together until Clifton Hill where the line splits into two.^[24]

Platform 2 is served by the Caulfield group, which consists of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Services operate anticlockwise through the City Loop, first travelling towards Flinders Street before travelling together towards Dandenong where the line splits into two. Services on both lines run express between South Yarra and Caulfield (Malvern during off-peak).^[24] From 2025, the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will be removed from the City Loop and will be rerouted through the Metro Tunnel. Services on the Frankston line will serve the Loop instead.^[20][21]

Platform 3 is served by the Northern Group, which consists of the Craigieburn, Sunbury and Upfield lines. Service patterns alternate during the day between clockwise and anticlockwise operation. Services run through the loop together before splitting off at North Melbourne.^[24] From 2025, the Sunbury line will not run through the City Loop and will be rerouted through the Metro Tunnel.^[20][21]

Platform 4 is served by the Burnley Group, which consists of Alamein, Belgrave, Glen Waverley and Lilydale lines. Service patterns alternate during the day between clockwise and anticlockwise operation. Services on the Burnley group split off three times, first at Burnley where the Glen Waverley line branches off, then at Camberwell where the Alamein line branches off, and Ringwood where the Belgrave and Lilydale lines split into two.^[24]

Station layout

G	Street level	Entrances/Exits
C	Northern Concourse	Customer service, toilets
	Southern Concourse	Customer service, toilets
L1 Platforms	Platform 1	←  Mernda line  towards Mernda (Jolimont)^[25] ←  Hurstbridge line  towards Hurstbridge (Jolimont)^[26]
	Island platform, doors will open on the left
	Platform 2	→  Pakenham line  express towards Pakenham (Melbourne Central)^[27] → →  Cranbourne line  express towards Cranbourne (Melbourne Central)^[28] →
L2 Platforms	Platform 3	←  Craigieburn line  towards Craigieburn (Flinders Street or Melbourne Central)^[29] → ←  Upfield line  towards Upfield (Flinders Street or Melbourne Central)^[30] → ←  Sunbury line  towards Sunbury →(Flinders Street or Melbourne Central)^[31] →
	Island platform, doors will open on the left or right
	Platform 4	←  Lilydale line  towards Lilydale (Richmond or Melbourne Central)^[32] → ←  Belgrave line  towards Belgrave (Richmond or Melbourne Central)^[33] → ←  Glen Waverley line  towards Glen Waverley (Richmond or Melbourne Central)^[34] → ←  Alamein line  peak services towards Alamein (Richmond or Melbourne Central)^[35] →

Transport links

Parliament station is served by seven tram routes, departing from three different tram stops. Route 35 serves the tram stop on Spring Street, routes 86 and 96 serve the tram stop on Bourke Street, and routes 11, 12, 48 and 109 serve the tram stop on Macarthur Street.^[36][37][38]

Spring Street

•  : City Circle^[39]

Bourke Street

•  : Waterfront City (Docklands) – Bundoora RMIT^[40]
•  : St Kilda Beach – East Brunswick^[41]

Macarthur Street:

•  : Victoria Harbour (Docklands) – West Preston^[42]
•  : St Kilda – Victoria Gardens^[43]
•  : Victoria Harbour (Docklands) – North Balwyn^[44]
•  : Port Melbourne – Box Hill^[45]

Notes

1. Weekday pre-peak and post-peak only

References

1. (PDF). Metropolitan Transit Authority. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2005.
2. . Public Transport Victoria. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original (XLS) on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016. (access from . Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.)
3. "Station Patronage Data 2013–2018". Philip Mallis. Transport for Victoria. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
4. "Parliament". Metro Trains Melbourne. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
5. Australia's Railways. Alison Hideki. 2018. p. 21. ISBN 9781925630763.
6. Lee, Robert (2007). The Railways of Victoria 1854–2004. Melbourne University Publishing. p. 191. ISBN 978-0-522-85134-2.
7. Pearce, Connor (11 November 2020). "4 kilometres of track laid on Forrestfield-Airport Link". Rail Express. from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
8. "Skybridge construction takes to the skies in latest milestone". Media Statements. 2 July 2019. from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
9. Ho, Cason (16 August 2022). "Perth Airport rail line to open in October, as Forrestfield Metronet costs revealed to be $1.9 billion". ABC News. from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
10. "Parliament". Metro Trains Melbourne. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
11. "Our role". VicTrack. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
12. "Pakenham Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
13. "Sunbury Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
14. "Parliament Station area update". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
15. "Access Guide". Metro Trains Melbourne. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
16. (PDF). Metropolitan Transit Authority. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2005.
17. (PDF). Metropolitan Transit Authority. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2005.
18. Kruijff, Peter de (16 August 2022). "Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October". WAtoday. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
19. "Building A Train Network For The Future". Premier of Victoria. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
20. "Benefits for your train line". Victoria’s Big Build. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
21. "Metro Tunnel Project". Victoria’s Big Build. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
22. "Parliament Station area update". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
23. "City Loop upgrades" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria.
24. "Parliament Station". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
25. "Mernda Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
26. "Hurstbridge Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
27. "Pakenham Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
28. "Cranbourne Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
29. "Craigieburn Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
30. "Upfield Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
31. "Sunbury Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
32. "Lilydale Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
33. "Belgrave Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
34. "Glen Waverley Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
35. "Alamein Line". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
36. "Bourke St/Spring St". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
37. "Spring St/Bourke St". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
38. "Parliament Railway Station/Macarthur St". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
39. "35 City Circle (Free Tourist Tram)". Public Transport Victoria.
40. "86 Bundoora RMIT - Waterfront City Docklands". Public Transport Victoria.
41. "96 East Brunswick - St Kilda Beach". Public Transport Victoria.
42. "11 West Preston - Victoria Harbour Docklands". Public Transport Victoria.
43. "12 Victoria Gardens - St Kilda". Public Transport Victoria.
44. "48 North Balwyn - Victoria Harbour Docklands". Public Transport Victoria.
45. "109 Box Hill - Port Melbourne". Public Transport Victoria.

External links

•   Media related to Parliament railway station, Melbourne at Wikimedia Commons
• Melway map at street-directory.com.au