Overcrowding on Melbourne's train network has hit a record high in the morning peak, a new survey has revealed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Figures released by Public Transport Victoria showed that across the network about 20 per cent of morning peak services were overcrowded during the survey period.
However, during the PM peak that figure only reached about 7 per cent.
The survey was taken over 14 week days in May this year.
Trains on the Dandenong corridor were among the worst offenders for morning overcrowding, with about 38 per cent exceeding the benchmark, compared to almost 28 per cent in the same period the year before.
The Dandenong corridor includes trains originating from Pakenham, Berwick, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Westall and Oakleigh stations.
The Craigieburn line had a daily average of 50 per cent overcrowded services.
The Frankston line fared much better in the mornings with passengers suffering overcrowding on 12 per cent of services.
The Williamstown line had no overcrowding in the AM peak.
Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said demand was growing on the train network and needed to be matched with more services.
"Peak hour overcrowding is back in a big way," he said.
Mr Morton called for more high-capacity signalling to improve the operation of the train network.
Overcrowding is broadly defined as average passenger numbers exceeding comfortable standards – rather than a measure of safety.
The load standard is 798 passengers for Comeng and Siemens trains and 900 for X'Trapolis trains.
In the year to May, there was no net increase in services added to the network during the morning peak, the survey said.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said big projects, including the Melbourne Metro Rail tunnel, would increase the number of trains that can run to deal with growing demand.
Early "enabling" work has begun on the Melbourne Metro Rail project.
Ms Allan said the work will take place at sites across the city. It will involve the protection and relocation of services, including gas mains, power lines and telecommunications infrastructure.
"We have to do this work first before we can get on with that big construction piece," she told reporters.
Major works are expected to begin on the project next year.
The Cranbourne/Pakenham and Sunbury lines will run through the Melbourne Metro tunnel.
