The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to explain the impact of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel on northern Victorian rail services.
A leading rail expert has warned Bendigo’s train services are unlikely to improve for the foreseeable future and would inevitably get slower after Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel opens later this year, Ms Broad told Parliament.
Ms Broad said the Bendigo Advertiser quoted Rail Futures Institute president, and former V/Line chief operating officer John Hearsch, who said the tunnel would lead to increased services along the Sunbury line. This would have a domino effect on Bendigo trains because they share the same tracks.
“The paper also reported that Bendigo already has one of the worst rates of service cancellations in Victoria,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“According to Mr Hearsch, the only thing that would free up the Bendigo trains would be dedicated V/Line tracks.”
Mr Hearsch also told the newspaper that the constraints of having regional trains on busy metro lines was evident on the Cragieburn Line where V/Line trains to Seymour and Shepparton were constantly stuck behind metro services.
“I ask the Minister for Transport Infrastructure to respond to these concerns and clarify what impacts the Metro Tunnel will have on V/Line train services in Northern Victoria, including the Bendigo and Seymour lines, once it opens,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said many regional Victorians rely on the train services to and from Melbourne for work and medical appointments, as well as shopping and visiting family.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
