By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Melton could get an electrified railway line and a new train station under a re-elected Labor government.
Premier Daniel Andrews has pledged $150 million toward a business case for the Western Rail Plan which would include a fast rail to Geelong and Ballarat and the full separation of regional and metro train services. It would mean Melton will be serviced by a Metro train.
The business case will also investigate the feasibility of additional tracks between Sunshine and the CBD to run extra services, most likely through a new rail tunnel, and the full electrification of the Ballarat and Geelong lines.
Unlike the Coalition, which costed its bold regional rail plan announced recently at $19 billion, Labor hasn’t said how much its project could end up costing.
If Labor is elected, work on the business case will start next year and be finished by 2022 and the full project delivered by 2032.
Mr Andrews said his government was committed to taking cars off the road and reducing travel times.
“This plan will deliver the transformation that our state needs – electrification of rail lines out to the west, and fast rail to Geelong and Ballarat, returning country trains to country commuters,” Mr Andrews said.
The monthly train patronage in Melton has grown from 75,000 passengers three years ago to 129,000 this year, according to the government’s figures.
Electrification of the railway line from Deer Park to Melton could triple its carrying capacity, allowing up to 1500 people to travel on a single train.
Melton mayor Bob Turner said electrification of the line had been a “long-standing” priority for the council.
“We are excited by this commitment, which would see a dedicated track for our residents, and recognises the need to deliver improved public transport in the city,” Cr Turner said.
“The upgrade of the rail line will allow more people to use public transport to access key employment areas in the CBD and inner Melbourne suburbs.”
Western Transport Alliance chairman Jonathon Marsden said while he welcomed the government’s announcement, there needed to be serious investment in the region’s bus services to complement the rail upgrades.
“Melton is the fastest growing local government area in Melbourne, but right now less than half of residents there live within walking distance of public transport,” Mr Marsden said.
“Improving the train services to Melton and Wyndham Vale will mean more people can leave the car at home to get to work, freeing up the congestion on our roads.”
