The Unbuilt Doncaster Rail Line
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- For over 130 years, residents, governments and campaigners have called for a rail line to be constructed to Doncaster. However, during all this time, nothing has ever been done, and it looks unlikely that this will occur in the foreseeable future. In this video, we take a look at the history and possible future of the Doncaster rail line.
Chapters:
Sources:
trove.nla.gov....
prov.vic.gov.a...
dt-hs.blogspot...
bpadula.tripod...
Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: Box Hill - Doncaster Electric Tram
Melbourne Tram Museum: Australia's first electric tram - the Box Hill to Doncaster tramway
mapping.mannin...
coherence.com....
raildocs.wongm...
amp.theage.com...
Most photos and many sources aren't listed here - please comment below if you want to know where I got something from or you want credit for your video
Sources for Videos:
• Melbourne1991-5 Trains...
• Doncaster Rail Study -...
Extending Route 48 to Doncaster is probably the easiest project to do with the most positive benefit
Agreed
trams are slow though
@@MetroManMelbourne and also extending route 59 to the airport. and also re activating the entire inner circle and outer circle lines (as light rail of course and also extend it out to monash univeristy via chadstone hopping centre
Shahahahahahaha NO waste of money trams are just large buses on tracks
@@Alexander_Dunn Yes, usually they are slow, but an example of how fast they might be is the line to Port Melbourne where speeds from Clarendon St to Port are comparable to trains. It needs planning and the sort of commitment to infrastructure our ancestors had 100+ years ago.
Unfortunately this line never eventuated due to incompetence by both political sides, but ultimately Labor sold off the reservation in the 1980s. That was the final nail in the coffin.
Sadly…
Viaducts bro or deep bore it’s not that hard
Ahh don’t say that. I’ve seen so many that love pinning everything on the Liberals either through ignorance or a chip on their shoulder.
@@qjtvaddict it is that hard. No one of going to build viaducts in a heavily built up area. 5 years old? And the sheer cost of underground for benefit is not there.
That was criminal, but labor had bankrupted the state so they needed the money. The trend continues today.
Every time I drive down the eastern freeway and see the giant median strip, I lament the missing rail line
the king is so old now, his voice changed
It is hard to see any rail link being built at this point, the opportunity to deliver a service on cost looks to have passed. In the meantime, thank goodness for the 906 bus route, one of the best I have ever experienced in Australia
The return of the King
A bloke i use to work with once, told me that he saw a 'silver train' scrolling its stations while waiting for passengers, and 'Doncaster' was on it.
The Hitachi trains were fitted with a number of destinations that never got electric trains - "Baxter", "East Doncaster", "Mulgrave", "Deer Park West" etc.
Honestly it’s gonna be an eternity till this is built
Haha socialist revolution go brrrr
The Doncaster line should have been built with a terminus at Donvale
Its so sad that we used to have so many of these rail coridors reserved but various Goverments after a quick buck that benifited them for there 4 year term only, sold the land to developers. My father was the President of the Railway Union/Secretary/Organiser for over 20 years and said constantly they were fighting for expantions of the network, whilst the goverments were trying to reduce costs ie unmaned stations, no guards less staff. I worked for the railways on off from 1986 to 2023 and my happiest time was when all stations were manned before privitisation eventually in the 90's(after my fathers retirement no lees that created the current operate as cheap as we can to get the government bonus's apply. Funny thing is now Jeff Kenant actually says he doesnt belive privitisation actually benifited Australians ie banks, railways, elec water gas etc as the profits go overseas or to investors and only a governent owned service will be non profit or low profit.
Its not like the banks and supermarkets with there combined 10 billion dollars+ (on books) profit per year would every say lets donate 10% to a hospital or other..
welcome back !
Interesting video. They originally had a tram line from Box Hill to Doncaster and closed it. Maybe they should have kept it open, which could have connected with the City to Box Hill tram line. However, it would be great to see trains to Doncaster. Maybe it will eventually happen with the planned SRL.
The busses along the freeway are a really fast way to get to the city.
Until you get to Hoddle Street, then you are stuck in the traffic.
@@JamesTsividis they aren't quick at all. I can get from Lonsdale St to Dandenong quicker than I get from Lonsdale St to Kew
You are joking right? Plus Kinetic are urgently in need of new buses. On some of the trips I am sure I would have had a more comfortable ride in a wheelbarrow!
@@smedleyfarnsworth263 Haven't you ever noticed they're traveling in a bus lane along some of Hoddle St, & along all of Victoria Pde to near Nicholson St. Issue is after the stop near Langridge St, they then have to get from left side to the (left lane) of the right turn lanes into Victoria Pde.
Only other 2 issues is that parking is permitted along the bus lanes outside of peak hours; & the buses may have to move over 1 lane when there's a left turn lane, for some only left turn lanes; as doesn't at Johnston St and doesn't at Gipps St. During peak hours they are dedicated bus lanes, so it is fairly quick. Except when nitwit motorists stop in them, while they "nick in" somewhere, and a few even are parked there for some time, when signs /times say bus lane only.
Even if does get stuck in a bit of traffic between Langridge St & Victoria Pde, still way faster than driving in a car, to get from Doncaster to CBD.
@@2_pelicans What bus number are you getting to Kew, & what bus number are you getting from CBD to Dandenong?
Lonsdale St CBD to Dandenong is an hour by train, weekday peak hour
And there's no bus service that runs from Lonsdale St to Dandy!
To do that trip by bus takes 2 buses, & min travel time of 2 hours 14 mins.
Your comparison is silly, as you're comparing a service that has complete separation from vehicles, has (no-stopping) priority at all roads it crosses, has 3 to 4 to 5 times the distance between stops; to a vehicle/bus that shares a roadway with other vehicles;
but during peak hours it's a dedicated bus lane for nearly all of Victoria Pde after Nicholson St to Hoddle St, and along much of Hoddle St. & bus lane along several parts of the freeway.
The comment was re 90* bus services; not a 201 or 207 service which does not take an hour from Lonsdale St to Kew Junction either; nor re a 3** service.
Far Q, doesn't have buses that go along the Freeway that exit to Princess St or Earl St. Nor is a freeway bus that exits to Bourke Rd North, Kew East.
The 906 from Lonsdale St to Pines Shopping Centre Doncaster East (north) takes 1 hour in weekday peak hour, and that time is only due to very frequent bus stops. (For the comparative distance between rail stations, there's 3-4 bus stops in middle-inner suburbs, even more for further out suburbs, and 906 takes less than 15 mins to go along the freeway.
The 907 Bus which runs the length of Doncaster Rd from Doncaster Park & Ride to Springvale Rd takes 1 hour.
To get to/alight at any of the "flyover" stops along the freeway (where the bus exits briefly, then goes back onto freeway is less than 30 minutes.
I get those number buses often, as often go to Kew Junction shops area often, & go to East Doncaster & Donvale often to visit relatives. And rarely ever been on any for more than 1 hour unless traffic disruption such as accident or protest march on Swanston St.
Rather get any of those 90* or 20* buses, even if took more than an hour (it doesn't) than go CBD to Dandenong, and when arrive by PT it's several mins walk to get to main shopping centres. Those buses put me right outside of any shopping centre along its route, plus don't need to look around to see if area is safe.
Once the loop is built through Doncaster they can take a train north or south & then interchange into the city.
This would make a direct line less likely.
Only if you catch the train from near Shoppingtown; if you live in Doncaster East then the loop doesn't help
It's frustrating how much political motivation gets in the way of these projects. There's arguing from both sides, and eventually someone new comes into power and nothing gets built! Even a simple extension of the route 48 tram has been in termoil!
BAHAHA My parents have lived in that area since 1997. There is no expectation it will ever be built.
I was born in the area and still live here. When ever they bring up a Doncaster train line we just laugh. It’s not going to happen….
Can tell there's a real gap there needs/needed to be built
Politically because the areas been the safest liberal seats in the state theres been no incentive to really swing voters for either party by spending money in the area as its unlikely to take any difference in electorate results. Hope the busway does enough, a rail is basically too expensive to be a viable project nowadays
Also funding feasibility studys seems to be a long tradition for governments to waste money :)
Feasibility studies are a great to find out whether an idea, is viable or if more back end work needs to be done before it's possible, like each line Capacity.
Lobby your Liberal member to have it built, they love doing things for the public good.
he's back!
I would suggest that in about 60-80 years as Melbourne grows out from Lilydale into the plains of Coldstream, Yarra Glenn, Healsville, they will be a need for a new line, because the Lilydale line will be at capacity. This area could easily encompass I population of 200,000.
I would suggest then a business case for this line from Doncaster, through Warrandyte to Yering into this new city would be justified.
If Doncaster ever sees rail, it'll surely be built as Melbourne's first metro service after seeing the positives of the projects on Sydney.
I have got more chance playing full forward for Geelong!!!
i don't expect a train to Doncaster before i die.
Would there be enough room to tear down the BRT lanes in the distant future and replace it with rail? I could see it being an expensive but subtle way to reserve land.
Maybe this State Government could conduct yet another study to totally ignore if it is positive or develop it if the study says it is not feasible.
the xtrapolis foaming hackspots would be insaaaaaaaane bro imagine
spoiler alert: the line doesnt get built.
I didn’t know that, I just, uh, you’re telling me that now for the first time
@@MetroManMelbourne I'm sorry, I had to break it to you, it was a matter of time.
No way
Cool video!
Can see where the space for the track is in the middle of the road when driving there. Railway needs to happen still. At the very least a Tramway?
Can see it was getting harder and harder going by that Kew idea running straight north i stead of east out of richmond
I assume you have heard about the Metro 3 proposal? Obviously it's not something seriously considered but after watching this and your Metro 2 video I guess one wonders if you have any comments on if such a thing were to ever be considered for real.
Personally, what I will say is that having lived in the area this railway would go through before, I would like more public transport options than just buses. Of course whether it's ever feasible or a lot of people want it is another thing, but as someone reliant on public transport, it's a shame that the only thing serious being considered is the Suburban Rail Loop station (which is at least something that will take the load off the buses). Not even a tram 48 extension. I guess they're at least trying to make the bus connection to the city better though.
I'm planning to make a video on Metro 3 as one of my next ones - I think it's the most logical way to build a direct Doncaster line.
by the time the line will be built each person will have a jetpack like the Jetsons!
I feel it’s should be a seperate line rather than to spur line from hurstbrigde
I wonder why the glen waverley line terminates at glen instead of extend to further east.
When the Glen Waverley line was built, there was nothing further east to link to!
5:54 source of image? love seeing these artist’s impressions
I just got sent it on twitter ages ago - x.com/ma261065/status/1723117322335097246 - I don't know the original source, you might need to reply to the poster.
if we had that east doncaster station, you could legit escape from my school and head to the other side of victoria
MetroManMelbourne return?!
it's only been three months chill
Doncaster is a Ptv plan 2012 project and there isn't any progress
A good lesson from the USA is to NEVER put train lines (and train stations) inside a freeway. The focus is no TOD (transport orientated development). I do not see the City to Doncaster line ever being built for this reason. Nevertheless, once Doncaster is connected to the SRL there is opportunity for more services along surrounding lines.
Doncaster is not due for SRL until 2053. And with a shortfall in funding and a change in Federal Government I cannot see the first stage being built either.
And what do you think WA has done with its North and South Suburbs Railway?
built in 2169
and planned in 1890 and the plan is still standing, more than the comengs lol😂
Have you ever heard of the suburban rail loop?
@@matthewnorman9803 yeah
@@victorianvlogzooooooo nah bro is disrespecting the comeng 💀
@@TurquoisechannelshortsYT dey noizyyyyy
People joke about airport rail but the Doncaster Rail jokes line pre date it
Public transport particularly train and tram have been political footballs for far too long. There is no shortage of good ideas about improving the reach and coverage of rail based public transport. But, to no avail as there appears to be no way through chaotic mess of transport project development, funding and approvals.
Just build a high speed light rail down the freeway (on the original train route) and terminate at the park and ride area at the freeway interchange. Don’t bother taking it up the hill. Thats the best option for cost effective and getting it done. We simple do not have the money for heavy rail anymore. I honestly which people would grow up and see the financial mess this state is now in and realise money isn’t coming for heavy rail solutions. We
Can barely maintain infrastructure that exists at the moment as the SRL has the potential to dig us in a hole.
Agree SRL cannot be built it will drag us into a financial black hole where we can’t survive. Already our credit rating is shot hospital and ambulance services are a joke .
So instead we'll have to rely on building costly and maintenance heavy highway extensions that continue to worsen traffic congestion and move residential spaces further and further out, further increasing costs?
I find it hard to imagine that that's a better solution, when we see what such dependency on car infrastructure has done to cities in North America and elsewhere...
It's a sunk cost fallacy that we will either need to break out of or pay for more heavily in the future. At least some sort of rail link will be needed in many of these communities and whilst the SRL may not be the most necessary or best way to do it, at least it's 'hopefully' something.
Maybe if governments paid less into the pockets of consultancy buddies and raised corporate taxes we could actually afford these necessary public services? What else should a government be for?
@@transcendkira The SRL is pork barrelling at its best. An expensive loop for shopping strip centres is ridiculous whilst our growth suburbs in the West have to make do with V/Line.
The Andrews/Allan Government touted itself as the PT Government and yet $35 Billion has been spent on two massive road projects.
Great video!
I honestly don't see any useful public transport being built in this state, certainly not any I will ever get to see. It is too expensive to use, to build, and _all_ governments focus on cars. Even the supposed rail "upgrades" are just car infrastructure in disguise, how does level crossing removal help trains?
It is about time we started getting rid of freeways (like most of the world) rather than building more, that would leave plenty of space for alternative, more efficient means of transport. Then let induced demand do its thing.
You're right and wrong. The new LXRP stations have greatly improved both the rail infrastructure (much of which was falling apart 15 years ago) and passenger experience, not to mention the numerous other rail projects ongoing- metro tunnel, SRL, regional rail revival etc. But yes, I don't expect the Doncaster Line to ever be built.
It's ok because the people who live in Doncaster all own Porsches and BMW's and won't use public transport anyway.
@Low760 I hope that is a tongue in cheek comment, otherwise it makes no sense.
@@mjcats2011 of course. But there's a lot of people who wouldn't take public transportation because they don't want to be near commoners.
docasyter should get a new trans city line going thoufh a new downton east wets tunnel to atlest doncaster to williamstown and/or sunsine both serving that exsiting train station and a new terminal under and connected to sunshine hospital.
They really should include Doncaster Station in SRL East. "SRL North will be complete by 2053." 🤦♂
Hope you also mention in this video why the outer circle line didn't go to Doncaster in the first place,
didn't that go to kew? quite a distance away from doncaster, no?
Anglophone countries: STOP STUDYING AND START BUILDING!!!
Now that they ripping up the median strip of the Eastern Fwy it the end of the Doncaster line qq
None of this 'light rail' nonsense. Just nuild a proper train if you're going to build something or just not bother
Metromanmelbourne for premier
Far too expensive because of (a) the tunnelling required, (b) the land acquisitions for stations and associated car parks.
Would be the natural connection through from Melbourne metro II. Instead we are stuck with a white elephant
First
We the people of Doncaster don't want a railway as it will bring graffiti and homelessness and beggers to our neighbourhood..we don't need it.. happy with we have.. leave it alone..
Looking at the map Doncaster is only 3.5 km from Box Hill. Residents should just drive or catch a bus to the station. It happens in other cities.
@@BDub2024 I agree.
True tho Melbourne's buses have pretty poor service so ...
@@jlu In Perth the buses are actually rally good and heavily relied upon. The train stations on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines are 3km to 6km apart, so heavily reliant on buses and public parking at the station. It can work really well if there is a commitment to bus service.
Sadly our transport authority is not particularly competent at committing to bus services (or any improvements to services on any mode of transport)
BDub, 1 reason they don't is because have to pay for parking, if not in the PTV /Station parking station before 7am. At least before 7am & likely by 6:30 am some days. It is quicker by freeway buses (90* routes ones) tho.
It's weird and maybe due to the layout of roads, even before the Eastern Fwy, not many people would drive to Box Hill & get the train. Before the freeway, used to be a lot of cars parked all day near Doncaster Rd/Balwyn Rd (#48 tram terminus), & the 2 car parking areas behind North Balwyn shops was always choccas, as people from Doncaster (western side around High St) would drive to there.
There is room in the public transport field for Trains, Trams, and buses, plus of course, to a limited degree, ferries. What SHOULD be considered for Doncaster is either Trackless Tram or Guided Bus. Both of which have the capacity of a modern Light Rail, system, but at a far cheaper cost to build! Brisbane will introduce Double Articulated electric buses, next month. How ever a GUIDED version would allow, say, five section vehicles!
And you think the Brisbane Metro is a great transit project?
trackless trams or whatever you wish to call them look great at the surface but really aren't
@MetroManMelbourne It is a desperation stance of a government that has got Public Transport policy so wrong.
Sydney is building Metro and Mr Coyle wants Trackless trams. They are buses and what a joke.
And by the way the Government is building BRT to Doncaster as part of their hideously expensive North East Link due for completion in 2028.
No to 'trackless trams'. They are just buses and a waste of money
@@mjcats2011 Firstly, the so called METRO in Brisbane is a simple double articulated electric bus, and NOT the answer, LONG TERM, for Brisbane. That will be understood after a couple of years of operation. However, my point about the Trackless Trams or Guided Buses, is the COST compared to Heavy Rail. A guided bus can have, say, five sections, as can a Trackless Tram. A what is the total cost of building a Heavy Rail line to Doncaster? What is the cost of Light Rail and what is the cost of either Trackless Trams or Guided Buses? The GOLD COAST trams are kept away from road traffic by concrete curbing, just as Guided Buses or Trackless Trams SHOULD be, to make them fast enough, and there passenger capacity is equal to Light Rail.
Yic rail will never build any more HEAVY RAIL links in metropolitan area the costs are just not worth it
SRL?
@@mathewferstl7042 We shall see!