Air quality monitoring at Southern Cross Railway Station has revealed concerning pollution levels, primarily due to diesel emissions from trains and buses. Recent data indicates that nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations in certain areas of the station have exceeded safe limits, posing health risks to commuters and staff.
In response to these findings, the station’s operator, Civic Nexus, has implemented ongoing air quality monitoring and is collaborating with various stakeholders to address the issue. Efforts include reviewing ventilation systems and exploring strategies to reduce emissions within the station precinct. Additionally, the Southern Cross Station Air Quality Working Group has been established to coordinate these activities and potential improvements.
Despite these initiatives, concerns persist. In February 2025, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) threatened to shut down the station unless more decisive actions are taken to improve air quality. The union emphasised the need for immediate measures to protect the health of both workers and passengers.
While some improvements have been noted, such as enhanced ventilation leading to reduced pollution levels in recent years, the situation underscores the importance of continued monitoring and proactive measures to ensure a safe environment at Southern Cross Station.
For a visual overview of the air quality concerns at Southern Cross Station, you may find the following news segment informative:
The pollution in the station is exceeding safe limits, if this was a building site the government would have already shut it down, but the public are not looked after and transport policy has failed the city and the state. Electric trains do not spew up diesel fumes.
Simple anonymous writer…do as they do in the UK, turn off all diesel engines immediately upon arrival.
Mike the Empty the Vessal strikes again…..
This is not UK, we are talking about Vic Einstein!
Mike they are not cars where you can shut em down start it up and operate straight away!!!
They shutdown the diesel loco, it take a while to prep them fit for operation!!!
Are you calling yourself Simple by name calling me as one?
Something a non technial minded person would not understand!
The article says Witten by bevans,
V/Line has caused the issues with diesel pollution at Souyterhn Cross. Ben Phyland is the person in charge of rolling stock at the PTV and boy has he done a very poor job. Then again he worked for Bombardier for 21 years selling this vlocity crap to the government and alarmingly is hired as the head of rolling stock for US the taxpayer and all he buys in Bombardier. One of the Anti corruption commission me thinks.
They replaced many comfortable loco hauled services with diesel buses on steel wheels for suburban distance services how was it ever not going to be this way?
Good for the union to do what the government should already have done.
The government is not listening and could not care. They never admit their mistakes and the planning has been a mess.