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transport

A small win

This has been an issue for decades: the quickest way into Flinders Street station from the north, the Campbell Arcade/Degraves Street subway taking you under the road, had zero signage to direct you there.

Unless you knew, how would you guess it takes you to the station?

I seem to recall being told there was nothing that could be done… because it’s council property. (Okay, so… maybe ask the council if signage can go up?)

But now there’s progress!

When the arcade re-opened after Metro tunnel works, little seemed to have changed externally.

Entrance to Campbell Arcade/Degraves Street subway before addition of new signage
8th October 2025

Until… sometime in the past week or two… new, clearer, recognisable signage that actually tells you it’s the way to the station!

Entrance to Campbell Arcade/Degraves Street subway after addition of new station signage
18th December 2025

This has not come in isolation.

As part of preparation for the Metro tunnel, there’s been a raft of signage changes around the CBD and interchange stations, including exit numbers, directions to/from the new stations, more Passenger Information Displays (screens) and what appears to be added capability for real-time info onto more signage… it’s not clear yet exactly how these will be used.

Flinders Street station new signage above fare gates
Note the black strip at the bottom of the sign. In the middle is a digital display, showing “Listen for announcements” and what appears to be a MAC (network) address.

Building stuff is expensive. Putting proper signage on it isn’t free, but it is very cheap in comparison.

Alongside good infrastructure and services, good effective way finding and information is important, so this feels like progress.

By Daniel Bowen

Transport blogger / campaigner and spokesperson for the Public Transport Users Association / professional geek.
Bunurong land, Melbourne, Australia.
Opinions on this blog are all mine.

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