Melbourne: City Loop History

[ozbob]

City Loop History

The creation of Melbourne Underground Rail Loop was an extraordinary undertaking. Construction commenced in 1971, and the project was completed with the opening of Flagstaff Station in 1985. Before the Loop, around 90 per cent of all rail passengers travelling to the city travelled through Flinders Street Station. This caused serious congestion for both passengers and trains. Today, the Loop provides customers with a choice of five stations around the central business district and avoids operational problems associated with trains having to reverse direction at Flinders Street Station.

As early as 1929, the Metropolitan Town Planning Commission recommended the construction of railway tracks and stations under the eastern and northern sides of the central business district, and connecting them to the existing railway system in the vicinity of North Melbourne and Richmond. The 1969 Melbourne Metropolitan Transport Plan also supported the need for an underground loop, and proposed a design similar to that finally agreed upon.

The City Loop has served Melbourne well. However, 20 years after its completion, it has begun to approach capacity and future planning will address this issue.

[glossyblack]

Has anyone used the city loop?
The road seems like it was laid by a paralysed chook and considering it's laid in concrete tunnels it rides like it's been put cross country.
Hopefully if an upgrade or expansion takes place they will adddress it'c absolutely crappy riding quality.
C

[ozbob]

Howdy,

I have been around a few times, last trip was just prior to last Christmas.  It is  very rigid ride!  I grew up in Melbourne during the 50s and 60s so I saw Flinders St at its peak so to speak.  The underground certainly introduced some more options for the Melbourne system and made the railway a lot more accessible in some ways.  Just a great shame that the once great VR was asset stripped and privatised.  Look at QR and the position of strength. VR could have been the same with a bit more vision.

Brisbane is looking at an underground extension.  The sooner the better IMHO.

Cheers
Ozbob