A SECOND platform at Bacchus Marsh railway station is a key part of the Committee for Ballarat’s plans for improved rail infrastructure on the Ballarat to Melbourne line.
“This is about improving efficiency, improving services and facilities,” the committee’s chief executive, John Kilgour, said. “It would create a passing lane for rolling stock, although duplication of the train line is many years away.”
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Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin welcomed the idea and said dual tracks were a must.
“It would mean more trains for local commuters,” he said.
“Trains have to stop and wait for other trains coming down the line.
“You get a situation where a train takes off from Ballarat and it’s full, so you have to call in buses for passengers at other stations.”
Mr Kilgour called on the state government to initiate a feasibility study into line duplication and continuous phone and internet coverage.
“Obviously passengers are getting more than a little frustrated sitting on a train travelling at 100km/h which then stops and sits for 10 minutes for another train coming in the other direction,” he said.
Parliamentary secretary for regional and rural development Damian Drum said the government welcomed discussions about improving commuter services.
But current economic conditions meant the projects could only be considered as long-term prospects.
“Those infrastructure improvements are not just related to Ballarat, and as a government we are looking carefully at that but it represents a huge financial investment,” he said.
V/Line spokesman Daniel Moloney said the authority was aware of the productivity benefits the projects could deliver.
He said studies were already under way to measure communication capabilities.
