Commuter chaos in Melbourne after peak hour trains are halted so police could investigate a 'suspicious item' at major train station
- Trains in inner-west Melbourne were halted during rush-hour for police inquiry
- A 'suspicious item' was found unattended and caused the police investigation
- Police spokesperson has confirmed the item was a 'none explosive' device
- Train lines are now reopening but commuters have been warned to 'defer travel'
Commuter trains in Melbourne were halted after police investigated a 'suspicious item'.
Footscray Station, in inner-west Melbourne, was shut down as officers conducted a safety check.
The check was called after a 'suspicious' object was found unattended around 4.30pm on Friday.
Commuter trains in Melbourne were halted after police investigated 'suspicious item'. Picture shows commuters in Melbourne waiting to go home.
The Bomb Response Unit was also called to the scene, it's reported.
Werribee and Williamstown lines, as well as the Sunbury line had bus replacements.
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The replacement service were running from North Melbourne to Sunshine station, and North Melbourne to Newport station.
Police have since said the device is not suspicious.
Crowds of delayed commuters are pictured as they wait outside a train station in Melbourne
Commuters in Melbourne (pictured) are expected to get home later than usual thanks to the delays
A spokesperson for Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the object was a 'none explosive device'.
The spokesperson also confirmed there was 'no inquiry' underway.
Train lines are now reopen, however commuters were warned to expect delays.
A backlog of peak hour services is set to see many commuters make it home later than usual this evening.
The image shows big crowds on the outward bound platforms at North Melbourne station
Metro Trains has advised commuters to 'defer travel'.
One delayed commuter told Daily Mail Australia he tried to avoid the crowds by heading back into the city and going for a quick beer.
'We couldn't get to Footscray unless we got on a replacement bus,' he said.
'They came quickly but were swamped. Don't think that is Metro Trains fault.
'My commute was impacted enough to go back into the city and have a beer,' he added.
'I'm not even home yet. Very difficult for everyone on a Friday of a long weekend.
'Not angry about it myself but could see some other frustrated commuters,' he added.
One Melbourne commuter took to social media to ask for snacks as he was stuck at a Melbourne station
Some delayed commuters took to social media to share their frustrations.
'Trains towards Footscray running again but big crowds on the outward bound platforms at North station,' one commuter warned.
The same commuter then shared an image of a rail replacement bus, which had a sign saying 'bus full'.
Alongside the image he wrote: 'When you try to catch a bus when trains are suspended...'
'Sitting in [North] Melbourne with thousands of others due to issues,' another added.
'As traffic disruptions go, stopping through Footscray is worse than closing the West Gate Bridge,' a third commuter said.
Another questioned: 'How does an incident at Footscray stop you from running a train from Geelong to Waurn Ponds?'
A commuter who tried to see the humorous side of the situation wrote: 'My new home is this Melton train between Southern Cross and Footscray, please send snacks'.
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