Southern Cross Station in Melbourne has several ongoing issues that affect passengers, operators, and general station functionality. Here are some of the key problems:
1. Congestion & Poor Passenger Flow
- The station was designed with a shopping center-like layout, which reduces clear passenger movement areas.
- Narrow platforms and limited escalators/stairs create bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.
- Crowded concourses make it difficult to transfer between regional and metro services.
2. Poor Design & Maintenance
- The roof, while iconic, has had issues with leaks and ventilation.
- The station gets very hot in summer due to poor air circulation.
- Escalators and lifts frequently break down, limiting accessibility.
3. V/Line & Regional Rail Issues
- Delays and cancellations often occur due to single-track sections outside Melbourne, causing congestion at the station.
- Platform allocation for V/Line services is inconsistent, leading to passenger confusion.
- Lack of sufficient seating and waiting areas for regional passengers.
4. Myki Ticketing Issues
- V/Line passengers need to touch on and off, but Myki readers are not well-placed, causing delays at barriers.
- The mix of Myki and paper tickets creates confusion for regional travellers.
5. Security & Cleanliness
- Homelessness and anti-social behaviour have been reported, leading to safety concerns.
- Cleanliness is inconsistent, with litter and poor maintenance in some areas.
6. Connectivity & Integration Problems
- Poor interchange between metro, regional, and SkyBus services.
- Lack of real-time information screens across the concourse and platforms.
Not sure I agree with many of these issues but there are issues.
