Criticism Melbourne Metro Rail Project

1 criticism

1.1 increase existing capacity
1.2 lack of interchange @ south yarra
1.3 cost , funding
1.4 swanston street & cbd disruption

criticism
increase existing capacity

the need new tunnel increase capacity has been subject criticism capacity on existing network under utilised or hamstrung operational inefficiencies. paul mees in 2008 noted claim new tunnel allow 40 trains per hour through city should compared increase of 56 trains per hour increasing line capacity 24 trains per hour per line (80% of theoretical 30 trains per hour allowed current signalling system), reducing dwell times , other efficiencies such terminating trains @ flinders street station rather southern cross station. mees criticised proposal absorbing rail investment @ expense of extending network @ periphery. other proposals have been suggested relatively minor alterations city loop allow different groupings of lines without new stations.

critics have argued implementing high capacity signalling (hcs) across network, additional services able run on existing infrastructure, reducing headway between trains allowing more services run. in march 2015, state government announced trial of hcs commence on sandringham line, view expand across network once successful trials complete.

lack of interchange @ south yarra

the current scope of project has ruled out integration south yarra station, meaning bypassed trains using new tunnel. prevent passengers using tunnel transferring dandenong , frankston lines sandringham line. pressure state opposition , greens include station in tunnel s design have gone unheeded. melbourne metro rail authority has defended plan, saying economic case integration poor, requiring building of new hub , acquisition of 114 properties including part of jam factory @ cost of $1 billion; business case estimate indicates return of 20c every dollar spent on station. integration of south yarra station project has been subject of lobbying requirement federal funding.

cost , funding

a significant point of contention has been relative cost of project , capacity of state afford $11 billion. previous abbott federal government has ruled out funding urban rail projects across country, limiting funding options melbourne metro project , placing pressure on state government fund project mix of debt , private business investment. while funding allocated abbott government now-scrapped east west link ruled out use on urban rail projects in melbourne, new turnbull government has removed condition.

federal funding options project can realised through abbott government s asset recycling program , matches 15% of cost of state government asset sold used infrastructure projects. sale of port of melbourne andrews government provide additional funding melbourne metro project once sold, including indirect contribution federal government.

swanston street & cbd disruption

concerns existed on expected disruption along swanston street corridor, former premier denis napthine controversially describing alignment of tunnel akin berlin wall, tear city in half 2 years . however, changes engineering , construction plans indicate tunneling, rather cut , cover method of construction, employed. minimal disruption trams, pedestrians , traders along swanston street expected.