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You may have seen photos from the mock-up train design <a href="https://www.ptua.org.au/2017/10/06/inside-melb-new-trains/">back in October</a>.

It’s been part of a consultation process over about the past year, which has concluded.

As the <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/design-for-highcapacity-trains-finalised-after-lengthy-community-consultation/news-story/0582236ba501009648ac73adb64fe185">Herald Sun reported on the weekend</a> (paywall), the finishing touches are now being put on the design.

Yesterday on behalf of the PTUA, I got to see the revised version of the mock-up. Here are some pics.

As you can see, it’ll be a 7-car train, providing 510 seats (about the same number) as the current trains, but far more overall space.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bigger_trains.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="331" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bigger_trains.png?itok=MOea2f84" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>The streamlined design is quite appealing, and is really a consequence of the coupler cover, to help prevent train surfing, as well as the front being designed to cushion any impact from a collision.

Emergency evacuation ladders will make it easier to get everybody out of the train if ever necessary.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2.png?itok=NDVEIgGg" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>There’s been extensive consultation with the drivers and union, and the entire console got a thorough re-design at one stage. There’s also lots of CCTV, accessible by the driver, and recording constantly. Naturally the cab is capable of being fitted with in-cab signalling equipment when that is rolled-out.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image3.png?itok=jG38Tfw3" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>The seat fabrics have changed a bit. The orange design shown here on the left will be for priority seating (aligned with the standard colour being used throughout PTV services); the blue is for other seats. Not all the seats inside the mock-up have the new fabric at this stage.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image4.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4.png?itok=l7mm12cS" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>The backs of the seats are treated to reduce vandalism.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image5.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="399" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image5.png?itok=irE4mLrB" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>Priority seats are marked more clearly, and passenger intercoms can be reached from them. There’s also more yellow highlighting of bars and straps.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image6.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image6.png?itok=X4eMUFcH" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​The connecting section between carriages is wider than existing trains, making it easier to move between carriages. I’m also told there will be more hand straps added — 3 per section rather than 2 as shown in this photo.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image7.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7.png?itok=lNDchLz6" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​They tried different designs for the internal displays, and settled on white on black — feedback from stakeholders showed it’s clearer than the colour options they tested. They’ve got agreement from disability groups for the poles in the middle of the carriage adjacent the doorways, with recognition that these could be removed later if they cause issues for wheelchair users.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image8.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image8.png?itok=oKogpdaI" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​Doors have yellow highlights to assist the vision-impaired. Sections of some carriages are marked as preferred bicycle and pram boarding points. You might also spot the gutter along the top of the carriage near the roof. This will have a kind of mesh design on the top to prevent train surfers grabbing it.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image9.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="426" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9.png?itok=XCbPBhND" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​In the “bike zone” you’ll find velcro straps to secure bikes. Will these be used, and survive in the face of vandals? Hopefully. I guess time will tell.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image10.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10.png?itok=A4_SQptd" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​Decals above the doorway make it look more like a real train!

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image11.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="373" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11.png?itok=JiUro5_-" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​Here’s an exclusive tip for you, from a senior person on the project team: because of the internal cavity for the doors, the seats away from the doors are just very slightly bigger. So if in coming years you’re catching one of these trains and you’d like a tad more space, pick one further into the carriage!

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image12.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="343" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image12.png?itok=rdVXkBL-" title="Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Image: supplied © Daniel Bowen</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​Overall I think it looks great, and the level of consultation has been far greater than on previous designs in the train fleet. Numerous groups, including PTUA, have been involved right through the process. <a href="https://transport.vic.gov.au/content/docs/HCMT%20Project%20-%20Conversation%20Summary%20-%2017.1.18.pdf">A summary of the consultation is here</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image13.png" rel="gallery-all" title="www.transport.vic.gov.au/biggertrains"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="288" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13.png?itok=0eb8IjA5" title="www.transport.vic.gov.au/biggertrains" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>www.transport.vic.gov.au/biggertrains</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​​The good news is you can see it yourself in February. From the 9th to 17th it’ll be on display at Birrarung Marr. Details here.

Thanks to the State Government and the project team for running the consultation.

Daniel Bowen is a spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association. This article was republished with permission, <a href="https://www.danielbowen.com/2018/01/24/new-train-design-finalised/">read the original here</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/danielbowen">Follow Daniel on Twitter</a> or his blog on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielbowen.blog">Facebook</a>.
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danielbowen

New metro train designs finalised

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With Ormond likely to get <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2016/07/25/ormond-station-value-capture/">its tower</a> (whatever the height might be), what of other nearby suburbs?

The transition is already underway in Bentleigh and many other areas. Around the station, numerous developments are going up.

And in principle, I have no problem with this.

<ul>
<li>Melbourne’s population continues to grow. People have to live somewhere, and placing them close to jobs and services and infrastructure is better than having our city continue to sprawl.</li>
	<li>Close to the shopping centre and the station and bus routes is the best place for this, to increase the chances of people being able to walk to what they need.</li>
</ul>
Buildings along the main street (Centre Road) in particular make sense. Car parks behind the shops provide a buffer that can help prevent shadowing onto single storey homes.

The residential zones introduced a couple of years ago mean this is spreading to nearby streets. But heights are staggered as you move away from the station, so it seems workable to me. Here’s how it looks in Bentleigh.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_zones.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="471" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_zones.png?itok=Koh9fjCE" title="Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Screenshot of Bentleigh's planning zones (<a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/gleneira/maps">source</a>)</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>C1Z – no specific height limit (but still subject to planning approval of course)</li>
	<li>PUZ2 – school *</li>
	<li>PUZ4 – railway lines – as I understand it, if developed there is no specific height limit</li>
	<li>PUZ6 – Public Use Zone – these all seem to be car parks</li>
	<li>RGZ1 – Residential Growth – 13.5m / 4 storey limit</li>
	<li>GRZ1/2 – General Residential – 10.5m / 3 storey limit</li>
	<li>NRZ1 – Neighbourhood Residential – 8m / 2 storey limit</li>
	<li>MUZ1 – Mixed Use – no specific height limit*</li>
</ul>
* not in Bentleigh, but in Carnegie – see below

<h2>"Inner" Bentleigh today</h2>

Bentleigh has had densification of various types over the years.

In the 70s and 80s, some blocks of flats went up, mostly 2 storeys, many of which are still around today — though nowhere near the numbers you see in inner suburbs like St Kilda.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_1.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="383" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_1.png?itok=1I31rf2U" title="Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbell St. Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Since the 90s there has been a lot of subdividing. Back yards have shrunk, with either new houses being built behind old ones (this is the case behind my old house) or houses being removed and replaced with 2-3 homes, typically semi-detached townhouses.

Meanwhile, a lot of homes have had extensions, increasing capacity but not necessarily occupancy.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_2.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_2.png?itok=71RtUlu4" title="Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Campbell St Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Buildings are bigger closer to the station. Below you can see the main street, Centre Road, a retail and residential building about five years old.

It’s big, but you barely notice it at street level if you’re walking around looking at the shops. If it built were today, I’d be surprised if they didn’t aim higher.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="344" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_3.png?itok=jjh_GSlr" title="Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Centre Road, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>The zones above, introduced a couple of years have triggered a lot more apartment developments off Centre Road. Below is Mavho Street (3 storey limit on the west side), looking towards the Aldi building pictured above.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_4.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="324" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_4.png?itok=8VnaG1E_" title="Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lorrane Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Lorrane Street: This one has just been completed. It’s not really a surprise that all the recent and current developments go right up to their zone’s height limit.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_5.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="338" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_5.png?itok=EmWDybT3" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Bent Street: It’s not hard to anticipate that many of the homes in the RGZ1 4 storey zone will be re-developed in this way in coming years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_6.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_6.png?itok=ZDukKUPg" title="Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bent Street, Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>Clearly some home owners have seen the writing (and the dollar signs?) on the wall.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_7.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="357" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_7.png?itok=UtF49aD7" title="Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bentleigh properties for sale. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>At the southern end of Bentleigh (near Patterson Station), and also in Mckinnon, there’s been development around the shopping strip. Despite the garage doors facing onto the street (not ideal for pedestrians), I find the scale and look of these homes quite appealing.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_8.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bentleigh. Photo supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="349" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bentleigh_street_8.png?itok=ZYuh_knc" title="Bentleigh. Photo supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bentleigh. Photo supplied</figcaption></figure>With my local resident hat on, I would like the benefits <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2015/06/04/i-love-bentleigh/">of my suburb</a> to be available to more people, so I see nothing wrong with this, provided designs are good, nobody is forced out, and anybody who does sell up to developers is doing well out of the transaction.

If anything, I think the 3-4 storey limits should be allowed a little further from the station.

Of course there are many lovely older homes that should be preserved. Height limits across most of the area (away from the station) can help with this, but inevitably won’t save them all.

The commercial zone along the main street should be developed to ensure it includes destinations, not just residences, to increase local employment and activity — rather than the area being just a dormitory suburb. (It’s good to see the chain stores/anchor tenants are staying put in the shopping centre.)

As I said above, it makes sense to increase urban density in areas with good access to services and infrastructure. It’s good to see it happening.

<h2>Planning schemes elsewhere</h2>

Also worth looking at: the area around Carnegie and Murrumbeena.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/carnegie_zones.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Carnegie zones"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="308" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/carnegie_zones.png?itok=NAf7sGob" title="Carnegie zones" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Carnegie zones</figcaption></figure>This is particularly interesting in the context of the skyrail debate; most of the areas alongside the rail line have 3-4 storeys permitted (higher immediately around the stations), though when and if this occurs of course, nobody knows.

How is it in your neighbourhood? <a href="http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/">It’s worth finding out</a>, especially if you’re planning on buying, and/or living there for a while.

Daniel Bowen is a Bentleigh resident and spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association. This article was republished with permission, <a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2016/07/28/bentleigh-dense/">read the original here</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/danielbowen">Follow Daniel on Twitter</a> or his blog on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danielbowen.blog">Facebook</a>.
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