Metro Trains Resume Services on Mernda and Hurstbridge Lines Amid Ongoing Investigation

Melbourne's Mernda and Hurstbridge train lines will resume services on Monday after a carriage derailed near Clifton Hill station last week. Despite over 100,000 passengers affected, rail authorities have yet to explain the cause of the derailment. An investigation is underway, but no updates are expected until a preliminary report is published in two months.

Melbourne's Mernda and Hurstbridge train lines will resume services on Monday after a carriage derailed near Clifton Hill station last week, affecting over 100,000 passengers. Despite the significant disruption, rail authorities have yet to provide an explanation for the cause of the derailment. An investigation is ongoing, but no updates are expected until a preliminary report is published in two months.

The derailment occurred on Sunday night, causing substantial damage to about 100 meters of track and overhead infrastructure. The faulty carriage, which was lifted from the tracks on Tuesday, resulted in delays and significant inconvenience for commuters. Services on parts of the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines were suspended until Monday, with replacement buses operating between Eltham and Parliament stations for Hurstbridge line passengers, and between Reservoir and Parliament for Mernda line passengers [1].

Metro Trains chief executive Raymond O'Flaherty stated that a decision about passenger compensation would be made at the end of the month. "We will look at passenger compensation at the end of this month," O'Flaherty said. "In the meantime, what we are focused on is trying to ensure that passengers can still make journeys" [1].

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the cause of the derailment, with investigators deploying to the accident site on Monday. The ATSB expects to release a preliminary report detailing factual information in about two months. A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation, including evidence, analysis, and findings. However, if a critical safety issue is identified during the investigation, the ATSB and OCI will immediately notify relevant parties to take safety action [1].

The carriage that derailed was lifted off the tracks on Tuesday, and the derailment happened on one of the tightest corners of the train network at Clifton Hill. Around 55 passengers were on board at the time, and no injuries were reported. The impacted carriage was removed by crane on Tuesday afternoon [2].

The derailment occurred when a carriage on a city-bound X’Trapolis 100 train came off the tracks between Rushall and Clifton Hill stations about 10.30pm last Sunday. The carriage hit multiple stanchions (support structures carrying overhead wires), resulting in substantial damage to the overhead infrastructure. The carriage had to be removed by crane due to damage to its undercarriage and a wheel [3].

Passengers have been forced to use replacement buses, resulting in delays of up to 45 minutes. Metro Trains and the Department of Transport and Planning have advised passengers to check station platform displays, listen for announcements, and allow extra time for their journey [2].

The derailment highlights the importance of infrastructure maintenance and safety measures in public transportation. As services resume on Monday, commuters can expect ongoing disruptions and delays until the investigation concludes and any necessary repairs or safety measures are implemented.

References:
[1] https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-train-derailment-repairs-replacement-bus/2b604425-29a1-4f73-860f-332eea3d5f77
[2] https://7news.com.au/news/mernda-and-hurstbridge-lines-not-resuming-until-next-week-following-clifton-hill-train-derailment-c-19370054
[3] https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/major-commuter-train-lines-to-resume-but-derailment-cause-still-unknown-20250720-p5mgan.html