u/jeremyburge

After feedback, the most striking change was how the express track really does make the distinct Altona Loop unnecessary from the perspective of a Line Map. So this version drops the loop altogether.

• Bonus of this layout is that Williamstown gets to fork towards the left/west on the map, which is cleaner than how the last variation had it going the other way, due to space constraints.

This means a new user looking at this should understand enough of how the line operates to use it confidently.

• Thoughts have been mixed about whether the express track should merge into the main line west of Laverton, or show all stops like this
• Also mixed: opinions about whether the same pink should be used for both express and all-stations lines.
• Ideally the operation would be consistent seven days a week – and if that meant express services on weekends, with all-stations services starting/stopping at Laverton, that would make the visual much clearer (ending the light pink track at Laverton)

Higher resolution map here.

Contactless tap and go dates released today from the Victorian Government to Express Transit and other outlets:

• 16 Aug 2026: Echuca Line
• 23 Aug 2026: Swan Hill Line
• 30 Aug 2026: Shepparton Line
• 6 Sep 2026: Ararat Line
• 6 Sep 2026: Maryborough Line
• 13 Sep 2026: Warrnambool Line
• 20 Sep 2026: Bairnsdale Line
• 27 Sep 2026: Albury Line

(image is my own, dates are from the Minister for Public Transport)

These are for unreserved seats, reservations remain unchanged.

UPDATE: Press release posted a couple of hours ago, which has all these details and a few more, for anyone wanting a linkable source.

A little mockup ahead of the Werribee, Laverton, Williamstown and Sandringham Line launch this month.

I put a higher resolution version up here, which is interactive.

A few choices:

• This is Line Map style, which often shows more detail than the network map. For example the Metropolitan Line in London shows express services like this when on board, but doesn't show them on the tube map due to space and clutter concerns
• Any complicated service is hard to convey - which is why I put some kind of detail about Werribee Express/Altona Loop – but no amount of words can succinctly explain it to people new to the line, whereas a diagram might help
• Little beach icons for stations within 400m of a beach. Inspired by a line map I saw when on a train in the south of Portugal

Sharing this mockup I've been making for a post about the City Loop Reconfiguration, given its prominence in the news this week.

It's a bit rough around the edges, but does show:

• Upfield-Glen Waverley Line
• Craigieburn-Frankston Line

This is based on other maps I've modified, to show the CLR in the mix.

One detail that DTP maps shows is V/Line lines wedged between the metro lines as they approach Southern Cross and Flinders Street. I think it's clearer to show all of V/Line on the outside.

I don't think my map here nails that, but it's an attempt to show it can be done.

Small notes:

My map here also assumes (with no basis) that Belgrave/Lilydale still switch directions in the loop. Whether that ends up being the case if CLR goes ahead is debatable.

Things I don't love / would work on:

• Richmond label is a bit unclear - likely better above the line
• East Richmond – will it stay mostly a Glen Waverley line service? If so, it should move accordingly.
• Depending on if or when this takes place – Seymour V/Line services may run along the Upfield Corridor instead of Craigieburn, which would change how this fits together.
• This tries to use the same proportions as the Transport Victoria map – but North Melbourne and Richmond have become increasingly cramped and could do with some more space to have fewer overlapping lines.

An update for anyone who has been following the Richmond Station exits situation this year (or in past years) – some context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MelbourneTrains/comments/1s97or0/richmond_station_exits_entrances_limited_hours/

News as of today: it's confirmed that Stewart Street Exit (Exit 2) will now open first to last train, seven days a week.

I'll be there tonight to confirm that it has happened as planned. It was in theory approved to happen a while back, but I'm reliably informed that tonight should be the first time it will operate to the same hours as Exit 1.

No change to the other exits...yet? This was the lower hanging fruit, so it's good to see things improve where they can.

More details to come.

For the longest time, Google Maps would not recommend the 901 bus at Melbourne Airport – even if asking to go direct to Broadmeadows. This wasn't due to commercial interference, it was due to an incorrectly routed 2.6km walking detour to get to the bus interchange, for what should have been a 90m-600m walk depending on the terminal.

(image 1)

This is now fixed, and shows the correct walk when choosing a journey from any terminal towards Broadmeadows, or any destination on the Craigieburn line or Seymour line.

(image 2)

Previously even a journey from Melbourne Airport to Broadmeadows would suggest the SkyBus to the city and train all the way back to Broady (1 hour) vs a 15 minute bus.

(image 3)

Now journeys from MEL to the city still only recommend SkyBus (an option to filter for premium fares would be good) – due to the difference in time (40 min vs 70 min), but if you choose a destination such as Kensington or Seymour you will get the 901 + train recommended with the correct travel time.

For what it's worth, CityMapper shows both options to the city, which is the ideal situation as both have their merits.

(image 4)

Frustratingly, Google doesn't have a way to publicly flag incorrect transit routes or walking corrections, so I've had to make use of some back channels to get this fixed.

I think some people may find the information about closures split between Metro Planned Works and Transport Victoria to be a confusing way to approach so many closures.

This map only shows Sat-Sun day, not night-only works such as Geelong and Ballarat.

No doubt I missed something though, with so many. Point them out if I did.

(repost, had the wrong revision uploaded last time)

Before (image 1) and after (image 2): some very small changes I made to the local area map for Richmond Station for Richmond Tonight

Added:

• Opening hours for Richmond Station exits
• Tram stop numbers
• Line and number for bus 246 on Punt Rd
• Missing bus stop on Punt Road near Punt Road Oval
• Sponsored names for venues: AAMI Park and Kia Arena
• Direction to Corner Hotel
• Direction to nearest train stations

Fixed:

• location of tram stop 7B at Rod Laver / Garden Square

Only some of these would be relevant as improvements to the main map. A number are just to serve the purpose of showing all live events in this corner of East Melbourne and Richmond (eg Corner Hotel).

I don't know enough about the sponsorship arrangements for AAMI Park and Kia Arena to know if it would be impossible to list them alongside their generic names on the official map – but if practical, I would. No visitor knows that Rectangular Stadium is AAMI Park. Even if it is called that on ABC and this map.

Same name for both stations (Southland), with colours, line name, and key destinations also used in wayfinding.

Avoid the debacle of State Library / Melbourne Central dual names which make journey planning and signage more complex than necessary.

For reference, this is similar to how Sydney and London would handle such an interchange.

All draft maps for SRL, as well as Sunshine Superhub / Airport Rail Stage 1 show an acute angle from the city to the airport, turning sharply at Sunshine.

(image on the left)

This leads to people assuming that a change is required at Sunshine, as no other line on the Victorian Rail Map turns this sharply.

Even though this is just a promo image – it's another example of the same design used. Making it seem like the decision to use this appearance feels settled.

My suggested alternative on the right, which I will is clearer for all.

(again, this is just a promo / mockup map – but the point to still stands when it comes to the real deal in the coming years)

The state budget lockup was the morning, and now the details are public. Most pre-announced, but one new item:

>Funding is provided to complete a final program business case to improve capacity on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Seymour (Wallan) rail corridors and improve access for Melbourne's north, including duplicating the Upfield Line.

The wording implies what has already been assumed-to-date; that works would combine multiple projects: Wallan electrification and Metro Services, Duplicating the Upfield Line and re-routing Seymour V/Line trains that way – meaning more capacity on the Craigieburn Line as well as the Upfield Line.

Crude line drawing by me, but others will have better versions. No details yet as this is only for the business case – which will likely recommend new stations as part of this.

Best-guess imagery, based on known plans at this stage. Won't be news to most people here, but for those not from the west trying to visualise what the appeal of electrification is, or where new stations may go – I find it helps to see what the outcome may be.

Image 1: Today – Melton is served only by regional V/Line trains. Busy, overcrowded, not suitable for what is effectively now a suburban area.

Image 2: Electrification of Melton Line and creation of Airport Line. Both plan to use the Metro Tunnel, becoming three branches of the same line.

Image 3: Potential additional stations along the route: Thornhill Park and Mt Atkinston proposed and supported by many locals. More to come on this during the planning and design phases.

All images are mockups by me, based on maps from the Department of Transport and Planning. Link to higher resolution maps here.

The old exit is still there, and a much better link to Arden than the new exit. I posted about this and some suggestions about why this couldn't be opened are:

1. That exit has a staff car park now.

Response: on checking old images, it was always a staff car park even when the primary and only exit. The layout (see images) would fit the same car parking and exit pathway as before.

2. You'd need a gateline not just validators because it's a major station.

Response: Stations with more exits and entrances than North Melbourne have validator poles, namely Huntingdale, Oakleigh and (now) Caulfield.

3. Ramps are not DDA-compliant

Response: The ramps are in active use for interchange, and no less compliant than most stations such as Richmond or South Yarra.

I covered it a bit more here, and overall I don't see a compelling reason not to do it other than "it would cost a modest amount of time and money".

Not only would it help leaving the station in morning peak (as some people could use their closer exit), it would provide a safe alternative to exit in the event of an issue, it provides a better link to Arden station and Arden precinct. And costs millions less than most other passenger improvements.

Mockups attached showing how it may look in 2027, if someone deemed it a priority open the gate and install the validator poles. This would of course be a secondary option, with the southern concourse remaining the most accessible exit for the majority.