Delays ease after Melbourne's train network struck by 'equipment fault' in peak hour

Melbourne's train network has returned to normal after suffering major outages during peak hour, with all but one of the 16 train lines experiencing delays or suspended.

This afternoon, Metro Trains advised on X that the issue was due to "an equipment fault in the Flinders Street area", the main train station.

The outage led to huge crowds of commuters stranded at Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station in Melbourne CBD.

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The crowds were so large some people reported losing phone reception.

Trains were suspended on the Sandringham line, while major delays are occurring on the Cranbourne, Frankston, Pakenham, Werribee and Williamstown lines.

Commuters took to X to complain, with one saying he had been waiting at Flinders Street Station for an hour with no update.

There were also reports of major Uber surcharges amid the chaos.

By 7.30pm, delays were clearing on the Sandringham line but major delays remained on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

Those delays cleared later in the evening but some planned works were still causing disruptions on the Cranbourne, Frankston, Pakenham, Werribee and Williamstown lines.