Four Indian subcontinent origin Station Masters to lead Melbourne’s new underground stations
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Masters: (L-R), Christopher Rosario, Kasturi Jathar, Ajit Walia, Eva Loader and Khon Hossain. (Source: Facebook)
Christopher Rosario, Kasturi Jathar, Ajit Walia, Khon Hossain, and Eva Loader have been appointed to lead day-to-day operations across the Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac stations.
Melbourne’s long-awaited Metro Tunnel has its first five Senior Station Masters – a team with more than 80 years of combined rail experience – ready to guide passengers through the city’s newest and most complex underground stations.
Of the five senior appointments, four are of Indian subcontinent origin, and together the station masters bring diverse journeys to their new posts.
Christopher Rosario, Kasturi Jathar, Ajit Walia, Khon Hossain, and Eva Loader have been appointed to lead day-to-day operations across the Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac stations.
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Master Christopher Rosario (Source: Facebook)
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Rosario, who migrated to Australia from Kolkata (India) in 2003, joined Connex the following year and “fell in love with the job immediately”.
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Masters Kasturi Jathar (Source: Facebook)
Jathar, who will lead Town Hall Station, said the journey has been especially meaningful as a woman advancing in rail leadership. “I’ve seen a lot of changes at Metro with their support of women in leadership and the provision of courses and training for women,” she said.
“I’m most proud of becoming Senior Station Master of Town Hall and helping train the teams who will operate the five new stations.”
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Master Ajit Walia (Source: Facebook)
For Walia, who migrated from Punjab (India) is now Senior Station Master at State Library Station. This appointment marks a career high for Walia who has a PhD in horticulture.
“I feel incredibly proud and privileged to be part of one of the most significant transport infrastructure developments in Victorian history.”
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Master Khon Hossain. (Source: Facebook)
For Parkville’s Senior Station Master Hossain, originally from Dhaka (Bangladesh), the role is nothing short of “a dream job”.
“When this opportunity came along, I was very excited to be part of this significant milestone and lead an amazing team at Parkville Station.”
Image: Metro Tunnel Station Masters Eva Loader (Source: Facebook)
Loader is eager to put the new station technology to work during major events like the Anzac Day Dawn Service and the Formula One Grand Prix.
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“I can’t think of a better way to round out my rail experience than be part of something so transformational to the way passengers experience the network,” Loader said.
“It’s going to be epic!”
More than 200 staff – including senior station officers, station officers and assistants – will support operations across the new underground network. Metro Trains Melbourne officially took control of Anzac, Parkville and Arden stations on Monday, marking the completion of all five Metro Tunnel stations.
The Metro Tunnel is officially open. Today belongs to the thousands of Victorians who have spent the decade building the Metro Tunnel – without you, none of this would be possible. pic.twitter.com/g6yekKYTrA
Premier Jacinta Allan and Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams welcomed the milestone at the newly completed State Library Station, which sits 42 metres beneath Swanston Street and links directly to Melbourne Central via a new concourse. The station includes 27 escalators – including Melbourne’s longest at 42 metres – and 19 lifts, connecting passengers to RMIT University, the State Library and Queen Victoria Market.
“This is the second new CBD train station in 40 years – and the first since yesterday,” Premier Allan said.
“The end of major construction means the start of a new era for Melbourne, where you can get to uni, work and retail faster and easier.”
Minister Williams added: “The Liberals called it a hoax, but today State Library Station stands finished alongside Town Hall, Arden, Anzac and Parkville — five brand new stations ready for passengers later this year.”
Sunday’s first public preview saw more than 70,000 passengers explore the new Metro Tunnel – the biggest overhaul of Melbourne’s public transport system in four decades. State Library Station welcomed more than 22,000 people alone.
“It will unlock capacity across the network so more trains can run, more often,” Premier Allan said.
“This project is about fairness – getting to work, uni and home faster.”
Travel on the Metro Tunnel is free every weekend until 1 February, when the “Big Switch” will fully integrate the new line and deliver an extra 1,000 weekly services.
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“People who are unruly on aircraft should understand that this may mean they will not be allowed to travel and will impact their family holiday plans and also impact fellow passengers.”
