M-Train
Encyclopedia
M>Train is a former operator of half of Melbourne
's suburban railway network. It operated from 2001 until it ceased operation at 3:00am on 18 April 2004, with Connex Melbourne
then taking over all rail operations.
government. The suburban train network was divided in two, and National Express Group
won the Bayside Trains franchise (along with the Swanston Trams and V/Line
regional passenger franchises).
In October 2001, National Express renamed Bayside Trains to M>Train (as well as rebranding Swanston Trams as M>Tram. The two "M>" business used near-identical, complementing branding, including colour scheme, and the same "Moving Melbourne" banner or motto.
On 22 December 2002 National Express
withdrew from their operations in Victoria and the State Government took control temporarily, until M>Train was taken over by Connex on 18 April 2004. The V/Line passenger franchise remains under reverted government control.
M>Train operated the suburban rail services in the western, north-western, south-eastern, and southern suburbs running though North Melbourne
and South Yarra stations. These were the Werribee, Williamstown, Sydenham, Broadmeadows (now Craigieburn), Upfield, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston, Sandringham and Stony Point lines, in addition to maintaining the three underground City Loop stations.
While operating the franchise and under contractual obligations with the State Government, M>Train refurbished its Comeng
rolling stock through EDi Rail
, and ordered 62 three-car Siemens
trains, built in Germany
, to replace the ageing Hitachi
trains.
Until November 2003 M>Train also issued their own yearly railway tickets, running in parallel and sold at a discount to those Metcard
system, but only permitting travel on their half of the network.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
's suburban railway network. It operated from 2001 until it ceased operation at 3:00am on 18 April 2004, with Connex Melbourne
Connex Melbourne
Connex Melbourne was a wholly owned subsidiary of French company Veolia Environnement, which had a franchise from the State Government of Victoria to operate all suburban passenger rail services in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. In August 2007, Connex's contract was extended to 30 November 2009....
then taking over all rail operations.
History
Victoria's train and tram networks were privatised in 1999 under the Jeff KennettJeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
government. The suburban train network was divided in two, and National Express Group
National Express Group
National Express Group plc is a British transport group headquartered in Birmingham that operates bus, coach, rail and tram services in the UK, the US and Canada, Spain, Portugal and Morocco and long-distance coach routes across Europe...
won the Bayside Trains franchise (along with the Swanston Trams and V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
regional passenger franchises).
In October 2001, National Express renamed Bayside Trains to M>Train (as well as rebranding Swanston Trams as M>Tram. The two "M>" business used near-identical, complementing branding, including colour scheme, and the same "Moving Melbourne" banner or motto.
On 22 December 2002 National Express
National Express Group
National Express Group plc is a British transport group headquartered in Birmingham that operates bus, coach, rail and tram services in the UK, the US and Canada, Spain, Portugal and Morocco and long-distance coach routes across Europe...
withdrew from their operations in Victoria and the State Government took control temporarily, until M>Train was taken over by Connex on 18 April 2004. The V/Line passenger franchise remains under reverted government control.
Operations
North Melbourne railway station
North Melbourne is a railway station located on the northern edge of the central business district of Melbourne, Australia. The station is the point through which pass the west and north-west bound Craigieburn, Flemington Racecourse, Sydenham, Upfield, Werribee and Williamstown suburban railway...
and South Yarra stations. These were the Werribee, Williamstown, Sydenham, Broadmeadows (now Craigieburn), Upfield, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston, Sandringham and Stony Point lines, in addition to maintaining the three underground City Loop stations.
While operating the franchise and under contractual obligations with the State Government, M>Train refurbished its Comeng
Comeng
The Comeng train is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. They first appeared on the network in VicRail "teacup" livery in 1981 to replace the last of the then-60 year old Tait trains. More were ordered after the failed refurbishment and...
rolling stock through EDi Rail
EDi Rail
Downer Rail is a rail company based in Australia. Formed by a merger of Walkers and Clyde Engineering, it is currently a division of Downer EDi...
, and ordered 62 three-car Siemens
Siemens (train)
The Siemens Nexas comprises 72 triple car electrical multiple unit trains built by Siemens Mobility for the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia from 2002-2005. The design of the trains was based on the Siemens Modular Metro concept built in Austria...
trains, built in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, to replace the ageing Hitachi
Hitachi (train)
Hitachi is the name given for one of a set of electric multiple unit trains that operate on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. Introduced to service in 1972, the trains are the oldest in the city's suburban fleet still in revenue service...
trains.
Until November 2003 M>Train also issued their own yearly railway tickets, running in parallel and sold at a discount to those Metcard
Metcard
"OneLink" redirects here. For the computer/cable company, see OneLink Communications.Metcard is the brand name of an integrated ticketing system used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. It is a universal ticket which allows users to ride on the city's Metlink network, consisting of...
system, but only permitting travel on their half of the network.
See also