Eighteen new services will be introduced on the Geelong line, the Bendigo, Ballarat and Traralgon lines will each get 10 extra services every week while a single additional service each weekday from Seymour to Shepparton will provide an extra service for local passengers.
“With a redeveloped public hospital and court house, a new SAM on the agenda and a recently developed multipurpose sports precinct, what else do we need to do to demonstrate a persistent demand for increased and improved passenger rail services between Shepparton and Melbourne?”, questions Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Dinny Adem. “The lack of public transport to Melbourne is impeding Greater Shepparton’s competitiveness, liveability and investment attractiveness.”
“As a major regional centre with similar population and track distances to Melbourne as Bendigo, Ballarat and Traralgon, Greater Shepparton warrants comparable investment in passenger rail services so that we too have the opportunity to experience a similar level of progress. More frequent, user friendly and faster train services are required as soon as possible.”
The Regional Network Development Plan released by the State Government details extra passing loops, track, train stabling and signalling upgrades on the Shepparton line to allow for more train services and freight however this is identified as a future direction project with no commitment made to timeframes or funding. As a key regional city Greater Shepparton is yet to benefit from the roll out of the VLocity trains and the benefits of access to the Night Network services.
“It is very difficult for us to continue to witness significant increases in train services to comparable regional areas, yet we have a greater demand for upgrades to our passenger rail infrastructure”, contends Mayor Adem. “We’re aware that the upgrade to our rail infrastructure comes at a cost but it doesn’t mean that it should be overlooked. We implore the State Government to utilise a portion of the $9.7 billion lease of the Port of Melbourne as a means to urgently fund the works required to improve and increase passenger rail services between Shepparton and Melbourne.”
The cost of the upgrades to the Shepparton to Melbourne line includes:
- $2 million for stabling/ lighting works at Shepparton station
- $15 million - Removal of Level Crossing Shepparton – Seymour
- $20 million - Murchison passing loop and signal automation
- $20 million - new sprinter or Velocity Train
- $30 million track upgrades
- $400 million for Shepparton line Regional Fast Rail project
