BY ABBY VOGELSANG

The first artist impressions of an underground train station to be built at Monash’s Clayton campus have been released.

The new station will be built as part of the Suburban Rail loop (SRL), a 90-kilometre long underground train route that will circumnavigate the city. 

The station will form part of the eastern loop, due for completion by 2035, and will connect the university to every major train line between Frankston and Werribee, via Melbourne Airport. 

The $50-$100 billion Monash station will feature sliding screen doors between the concourse and the platforms along with an underground, central waiting area to be filled with natural light.

Above-ground, the hub will combine modern architecture and public art to enhance the appearance of spacious recreational areas and ample bike parking.

City of Monash Mayor Brian Little said the SRL could fulfil Monash’s long-standing need for better public transport which has remained an “impractical” option of transportation thus far, prompting commuters to rely on their cars. 

“The current, entirely radial, train network has failed to meet the needs of people who need to travel north and south,” Cr Little said. 

“You only have to look at the traffic on Springvale Road during peak times to understand that we need to get cars off the road and people back to public transport,” Cr Little said.

Cr Little said the SRL will be a game-changer for many Monash students as it will provide them with a “fast and efficient” public transport route and serve as a direct link to residential areas such as Cheltenham, Clayton and Glen Waverley. 

Geotechnical investigations for the SRL have been conducted at several sites on and around Monash’s Clayton campus in the past six months.

For Monash University Science student Saskia Mosford, who currently resides in Moorabbin, the new train line will make catching public transport an ideal way to get to class for the first time since enrolling at university.

Ms Mosford said driving to university “[came] with its own problems” however it is her only reasonable option of transportation due to the lack of public transport between her area and Monash University. 

"At the moment it takes me twice as long to catch the bus to Monash instead of my car,” Ms Mosford said.

“Even if I was to take the bus, I’d either have to drive to a bus stop or change at least twice … it’s just not worth it,” she said. 

Students living outside of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs will also benefit from the SRL as it will ensure a direct railway connection to the Tullamarine airport and many of Victoria’s regional train lines. 

This will eliminate the need for regional and international students to travel into the CBD before taking the train or plane back home.

Monash University Arts and Science student Philippa Salmon says she likes the idea of the new transport line as it will allow her to visit her family in regional Victoria more easily.  

The commute from the Monash Clayton campus to Southern Cross Station is the most difficult part of Ms Salmon’s journey home.

“I have to catch either two or three different trains or busses to get from Monash to Southern cross and if just one of them is delayed I can - and have - missed the train home before.”

Ms Salmon believes the proposed train loop which will link Monash University to the Albury Line could eliminate the stress and delays she currently experiences when traveling home.

“It’s great to see the government doing something that will give regional Victorian’s access to Monash and other universities,” she said.