From Hillside lines to the full network
At the start of the franchise era, Hillside Trains operated the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Epping and Hurstbridge services.[1] After the 2004 consolidation, Connex became responsible for the entire suburban train network.[1][2]
As at August 2009, the operator was running 15 train lines, 12,909 weekly services and carrying about 720,000 passengers each weekday.[1]
System scale
- 15 lines by August 2009[1]
- 331 trains in operation[1]
- 214 million passenger trips in 2008/09[1]
- Rapid patronage growth across the mid-2000s metropolitan system[2]
Broader Melbourne context
The metropolitan rail network formed one part of Melbourne’s larger public transport system, alongside trams and buses. During the privatisation era, public transport governance involved separate operators but common government oversight, branding evolution and reporting structures.[2]
Operational geography
Connex served central city stations, inner suburbs, middle-ring suburbs and outer areas connected by Melbourne’s electrified suburban network, along with the unelectrified Stony Point line operated using V/Line rolling stock and later Sprinters.[1]
This gave the company a role across the city’s highest-profile railway locations, including Flinders Street and the City Loop environment, as well as major suburban interchange and destination stations.[1][2]