Metro mayhem: North Melbourne station evacuated and trains halted

The device which held up trains for almost an hour at North Melbourne station has been declared safe by police.

All platforms other than platform one are now resuming to normal operations.

North Melbourne train station was evacuated just after 8am when a suspicious package was located.

Trains were halted, with some being forced to go backwards towards South Kensington or Footscray before police allowed trains to pass through but not stop at North Melbourne.

Thousands of people have also been left stranded at West Richmond station.

Nathan told Neil Mitchell he had been on his train outside North Melbourne for up to an hour before it was reversed backed to South Kensington, where passengers were evacuated.

“There’s even an ambulance here (at South Kensington station) so I reckon someone’s been ill,” he said.

The Upfield line has been suspended and there are still major delays on all lines coming from the western suburbs.

Commuters are reporting trams are also jam-packed with drivers forced to skip stops, leaving many passengers with no way to get into the city.

North Melbourne station: Trains are beginning to move again but will not be stopping at North Melbourne railway station as @VictoriaPolice are currently conducting safety checks after a suspicious item was located.

— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) May 2, 2018

Train delay update: after being stuck on a halted @metrotrains train at Seddon for more than 15 minutes, our train has now been terminated. Platform full. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/9N6SVsnMgI

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) May 2, 2018

Stranded at West Richmond @metrotrains @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/NlNxVQz7Rw

— Jane Holmes (@Missjaneradio) May 2, 2018