Catching the train in Melbourne has become a physical sport that most commuters just aren't dressed for.

The pushing and shoving needed to claim a spot in a carriage — let alone a seat — is like a subtle form of judo, but without the comfort of any rules.

Success is measured by how long you can stay on your feet, but these days getting in the ring might be the biggest challenge facing commuters, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA).

"It's twice as busy as it was 15 years ago," PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen said.

Some relief might be on the way with Melbourne's rail operator Metro Trains subject to tougher performance targets and penalties as of yesterday.

That includes a ban on the controversial practice of skipping stations, which is used to meet punctuality standards.

But what happens if you can't fit onto a train that rolls into the station?

With the help of the PTUA, we've compiled a list of Melbourne's most overcrowded stations.

10. Caulfield

Commuters at Caulfield station have to squeeze onto the train during peak hour. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

Caulfield is an interchange station for Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, which has huge passenger loads from the Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham lines.

The PTUA says Caulfield Station, where commuters use tunnels and ramps to get to different platforms, struggles to cope with commuters during the evenings, and that's set to get worse when the Metro Rail Tunnel opens.

9. Richmond

Richmond Station can be extremely busy after sporting matches at the MCG. ( ABC News: Stephanie Chalkley-Rhoden )

This inner-city station is best known for being the ideal walking distance to the MCG.

But with eight lines, it's also extremely busy and the tunnels connecting the platforms experience a crush of passengers during peak hour and especially after sporting events.

That's expected to get worse with Melbourne's population set to reach 7.7 million by 2031.

"The perfect storm is what it is," Mr Bowen said.

"Melbourne is a growing city and it's actually great that so many people are choosing to use public transport.

"But there are hotspots where the infrastructure doesn't cope."

8. South Kensington

Not very busy, but it's been singled out because of its design, which the PTUA says is poor.

The station has narrow platforms and no waiting area, aside from old bus shelters.

7. Glenhuntly

Glenhuntly Station has been ranked by the PTUA as Melbourne's seventh-most crowded station. ( ABC News: James Hancock )

One of the busiest stations on the Frankston line, and trains are packed whenever there are delays.

Trains also have to slowly rumble over the tram crossing, causing delays and crowding on the entrance ramp.

University of Melbourne transport planning expert John Stone says he isn't surprised Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs are copping the brunt of the network's crowding problems.

"That's where population is growing," Dr Stone said.

"We're just not keeping pace with the services we need to match that demand."

6. Parliament

Passengers face the prospect of an already packed train. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

There are queues to get onto the escalators in the morning at Parliament but during the evening peak, it's the last station pick-up in the city for three out of four platforms.

The PTUA says that means the passengers wedged onto the already-narrow platforms face the prospect of a packed train.

5. Flinders Street

Flinders Street station handles huge loads of passengers travelling to and from Melbourne's CBD. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

Melbourne's most iconic station and home to every train line, which also makes it extremely busy and congested. Some of the older platforms and the Elizabeth Street subway are short on space.

Over the last 10 years, there's been an explosion in the number of people using public transport, Dr Stone said.

"We really took our eye off the ball during the 70s and 80s and into the 90s when planners really thought that the city would be serviced by cars."

"There's really lost decades where we just didn't see public transport growth as something that was likely to happen, and now that it is happening, it's a problem for governments to catch up."

4. Hawksburn

An inner-city station which is the last stop on the Frankston line just before South Yarra.

Delays mean crowding is so bad that people can't fit on the train.

3. Prahran

Prahran is on the Sandringham line and is a stop before South Yarra.

There are trains every seven or eight minutes in peak hour, but any delay means commuters start to feel the crunch.

It can be standing room only on trains during peak hour in Melbourne. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

2. Kensington

Kensington is the last station before the city on the Craigieburn line, meaning it's often crowded.

"If there are delays on cancellations, then it can really be a problem because often you'll find it difficult to squeeze onto the train," Mr Bowen said.

"You might be left waiting for several trains to go by before you can actually fit onto a service."

1. South Yarra

South Yarra station is ranked by the PTUA as Melbourne's most overcrowded station. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

It's a trophy they'd probably prefer not to win, but passengers at South Yarra face the roughest commute.

The PTUA ranks South Yarra as the worst station for overcrowding during the morning peak because it's so close to the city.

"The next time you are crammed in like a sardine, when you get off that train, make a note to send an email or give a phone call to your local and state MP," Mr Bowen said.

"Ultimately the Government runs the rail network ... state politicians do need reminding that the funding needs to keep coming to help relieve the rail network."

So how do we fix this?

South Yarra's overcrowding problems stem from its closeness to Melbourne's CBD. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

Mr Bowen says it's vital projects like the level crossing removal plan continue so that trains can run more often.

"Running those trains frequently, not just in peak hour but also across the day, seven days a week, helps spread that peak load and helps more people use the rail network without having long waiting times between services," he said.

Dr Stone said the Victorian Government had some hard choices to make about Melbourne's transport future.

"The international evidence is really clear that if you try and build a city around both roads and public transport, as we're doing with the West Gate tunnel and Melbourne Metro, you end up spending more and not getting good outcomes," he said.

"The key is to provide a seamless network between bus, trains and trams. That's the sort of thing which gives you the opportunity to do very many more journeys than you can do now with public transport.

"People need to be be putting their vote where those sort of solutions are being offered."

Yesterday, Victoria's Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Government's new seven-year deal with Metro Trains was made with passengers in mind.

"We are cracking down on those things that really frustrate passengers, whether it the bypassing of the City Loop, station skipping, short-running," she said.