State no to plan

Southern Cross crush

A $300 million proposal to overhaul Southern Cross station has been rejected by the State Government almost three years after it was first floated.

Civic Nexus, the current tenants of the station until 2036, have been calling for upgrades to improve capacity after a surge in passengers.

More than 180,000 people are believed to pass through the hub every day and this number is rising as patronage on V/Line and Metro trains grows.

But a market-led proposal put to the Government in 2016 was yesterday rejected because it did not fully consider the impact of the state’s program of major transport projects.

Under the plan, platforms would be lengthened, the bus terminal would be improved and an elevated walkway would provide better access.

But the Government ruled that further work was needed to understand how the Metro Tunnel and the Airport Rail Link would alter passenger numbers in the area.

It also found there was no risk to public safety from overcrowding and the station had room to allow for growing numbers of passengers.

Broken escalators along key platforms created a bottleneck and sparked a backlash from commuters recently.

“Major projects like the Metro Tunnel, Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Western Rail Plan will transform Victoria’s transport network — we’ll plan for the future of Southern Cross station in light of this record investment,” Acting Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

“Public Transport Victoria will continue to work with Southern Cross to help manage growth.”

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said Southern Cross Station was stretched to capacity.