May 4, 2023 1 min read

Not Stopping All Stations

Inevitably urban growth means once outer suburbs become middle then inner suburbs - with all the outer suburbs commuter traffic, but not the services. New infrastructure in the outer suburbs, tired aging infrastructure for the inner suburbs.

Most of us have suffered the frustration of so-called express trains from the city not stopping at Eaglemont.

Does one alight at Ivanhoe and walk, or go to Heidelberg and catch the next city-bound train back?

This dilemma has a 100 year heritage!

The Age, 29.04.1926, Page 6

OPENING OF NEW STATION “EAGLEMONT,“ BETWEEN IVANHOE AND HEIDELBERG.

A new station “Eaglemont“ will be opened for passenger traffic on Saturday next, 1st May.

Electric trains will stop daily at this station to pick up and set down passengers, with the exception of the following trains: - 5.51, 7.13 and 7.51 a.m. from Melbourne, week days and Saturdays; 5.40 p.m. train from Heidelberg, week days, Saturdays excepted.

Before long the local Progress Associations were lobbying the Railways Commissioners for changes to timetables and fares structures.

It was a cause of local discontent that the much discussed tram service from Camberwell to East Ivanhoe failed to eventuate.

Trams were proposed for Burke Road up into East Ivanhoe.

The railway's monopoly led to higher fares on the Heidelberg Line than other suburban services.

When a delegation to the Railways Commission was given no joy a bus company was established at Heidelberg.