Spider alert for Melbourne rail passengers

Melburnians taking the train home on Friday may have to share a seat with an eight legged commuter.

Earlier several seats on a busy city bound train were left empty for fear of a "massive" spider that was hitching its way into town in sprawling comfort.

A Metro Trains spokesperson says they have not received any further reports of spider sightings, which may, or may not, indicate the fare-evading critter is still aboard.