Parliament railway station

Parliament
Station information
Code PAR
Distance from
Flinders Street
1.2 km
Operator Metro Trains Melbourne
Lines All lines
# Platforms 4
# Tracks 4
Status Premium station
Metlink profile Link
Melway map Link
Google map Link
Metlink ticket zone 1

Parliament is an underground railway station in the suburban train network of Melbourne, Australia. It is one of five stations (and one of three underground) on the City Loop, which encircles the central business district. It is the fourth busiest metropolitan railway station in Melbourne; in 2009 there was an average of 35,600 passenger boardings per day.[1]

The station services Melbourne's government district, and is underneath the Parliament House of Victoria and the intersection of busy Bourke Street with Spring Street, at the eastern end of the CBD. Passengers can interchange with tram routes 86, 95 and 96 along Bourke Street; 48, 109, and 112 on Collins Street; and the free City Circle Tram.

Contents

History

The station platforms were constructed using mining methods. Each platform is an individual tunnel, and are linked to the other platform in the same level by a number of cross tunnels. This choice in design left the remaining pillar of rock between the tunnels too weak to support the required loads, so it was replaced with concrete. A pilot tunnel was made, enabling the walls to be constructed ahead of the main excavation.[2]

To the south booking hall was constructed 'upside down', with the support columns dug with augers from ground level, then filled with concrete. The roof was then constructed over these piles from ground level during a series of staged road closures, and once this was completed the excavation of the booking hall could be carried out underneath, while road traffic continued overhead. During construction the Parliament House fence had to be removed, stored then re-erected.[2]

The station opened on 22 January 1983.[3] At the time of opening the station had the longest escalators in the southern hemisphere.[2]

The Station has a passenger flow of 26,000 commuters during rush hour. It serves 350,000 people each week.

Facilities

Parliament station has three underground levels. It has a concourse level and four platforms on the two levels underneath. Each platform serves a separate group of rail lines that leave the Loop and radiate out into the city's suburbs.

Parliament has two separate concourses. They each have a ticket office, toilets and ticket operated gates. The northern is located at the junction of Spring, Lonsdale and Nicholson Streets, and has three escalators and a lift going down to the platforms, as well has a lift and steps leading to street level. The southern concourse is near the Spring and Collins Street intersection, and has four escalators descending to the platforms. There are three exits to ground level via steps: one to MacArthur Street, the other two exits on Spring Street, facing Bourke Street and near Collins Street.

Platforms and services

Platform 1:

Platform 2:

Platform 3:

Platform 4:

Gallery

References

Station Navigation
"City Loop"
Melbourne Central Anti - Clockwise | Clockwise Flinders Street
Alamein, Belgrave, Cranbourne, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Lilydale, Pakenham and Sandringham lines
Previous Station Melbourne Central | Richmond Next Station
Craigieburn, Flemington Racecourse, Sydenham, Upfield, Werribee, Williamstown lines
Previous Station Melbourne Central | Flinders Street Next Station
Epping and Hurstbridge lines
Previous Station Melbourne Central | Jolimont Next Station
Entire network