Right: An artist's impression of the proposed Parkville station, one of five in a new transport plan.
A train station at Parkville could be as popular as Parliament station within 20 years, Public Transport Victoria data suggests.
The new station is part of the proposed Melbourne Metro project, a nine-kilometre twin rail tunnel between South Kensington and South Yarra.
Five new stations are planned, including Arden in North Melbourne, Parkville and CBD North.
It is proposed the Parkville station will be beneath the Royal Parade and Grattan Street intersection.
A tram superstop is also proposed for the site.
Public Transport Victoria data suggests that by 2031, passenger numbers at Parkville station could match Parliament Station, which is used by more than 36,000 people on an average weekday.
Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel project manager Adele McCarthy said the project would "untangle the inner core of Melbourne's rail network".
She said it would also create the capacity to expand the network and increase services to growth areas in the west, north and southwest, while improving commuter access to nearby hospitals and Melbourne University.
Nominations are now being sought for a Melbourne Metro community reference group.
The project received $49.7 million in the recent state budget to progress planning and to reserve a corridor of land for the project. See ptv.vic.gov.au/melbournemetro for information.