Alleged Bottle-O thief reason for peak-hour commuter chaos across City Loop

A man who was on the run from police sparked commuter chaos across Melbourne’s train network when he ran on to the tracks.

A man on the run from police caused commuter chaos on Tuesday afternoon, after he ran onto the tracks forcing trains in the CBD to grind to a halt.

Public Transport Victoria said a driver reported seeing a person in the tunnel in the City Loop just before 4pm on Tuesday.

It’s understood multiple trespassers made their way on to the tracks, with one man believed to have fled from a crime scene.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police said the man had allegedly stolen alcohol from a bottle shop on Elizabeth St in the minutes before the trespassing incident.

“The man was seen running from the scene and on to train tracks in the vicinity of the city loop,” they said.

Commuters crowded onto platforms at Flinders Street Station. Picture: Reddit

Similar scenes were observed at North Melbourne Station. Picture: Reddit

All trains on the loop between Flinders Street Station, Parliament Station, and Richmond Station were halted for a short time after 4pm as a search was conducted by police.

“Transit Safety Division members arrested the man after he was found on the tracks near Parliament Railway Station,” the police spokesperson said.

“He is currently assisting police with their inquiries.”

Pictures posted online captured passengers crowding onto platforms across multiple stations as they waited for trains to resume.

Dozens of commuters were observed huddling together at Caulfield Station as they waited patiently behind the yellow line for their train, with similar scenes seen at North Melbourne.

Meanwhile at Flinders Street Station, multiple platforms were jam packed with commuters as a message advising commuters to listen to announcements appeared on platforms screens.

What a disgrace Melbourne PT is. Captured 5:54pm Caulfield station @[e-mail]/3UPRW2SaQl

— Yachts Onyu (@YachtsOnyu) August 8, 2023

Train commuter Isaac Williams was frustrated with the train delays during peak hour traffic.

“Such an inconvenience at peak hour,” he said.

“All I want to do is go home after work.”

“Even if I catch a tram, they will just be packed.”

Eve Stephenson was also trying to get home from work.

“I try to leave work early so the train will be less packed.”

“I should have left even earlier today to avoid this.”

Mrs Stephenson said she would catch a tram home but it would take her an extra 20 minutes on top of the delays.

Passengers boarding at Parliament Station were told to make their way to Flinders Street Station with no trains leaving from platforms two and four.

Staff were handing out microphones to station attendants to inform people they were facing indefinite delays.

Trains resumed at 4:33pm but PTV media spokesman Lui Zacher said delays of up to 45 minutes were expected during the busy 5pm rush.