Napthine-Mulder – July timetable boost takes Coalition’s extra public transport services to more than 10,000 every week

More than 10,000 extra weekly train, tram and bus services since the
Victorian Coalition came to government Moving more people, more reliably, more often Napthine Government building a better public transport network

Public transport across the state will receive a massive boost this July, with almost 4,000 extra train, tram and bus services every week, bringing the total of new services introduced by the Victorian Coalition Government to more than 10,000 each week.

“In stark contrast to Labor’s shameful neglect of public transport, our timetable boost in July will mean we’ve added more than 10,000 extra weekly train, tram and bus services since coming to government,” the Premier Denis Napthine said.

“The Coalition Government is providing more train, tram and bus services to move more people, more often. We are able to do this because of our strong financial management.”

Train services on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will be boosted by 50 per cent between 9.00 am and 4.30pm – trains will run every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. These lines connect to the Dandenong line, which will now see trains every 10 minutes between peak periods (and trains every 3 to 4 minutes during peak).

The upgrade provides two extra services in the morning peak on the Dandenong corridor, and two extra services in the evening peak, benefiting Pakenham and Cranbourne line passengers.

“The Dandenong corridor is one of the busiest corridors on the network, servicing several high growth suburbs such as Narre Warren and Pakenham, and these changes will ensure we are catering for the population growth in these areas,” Dr Napthine said.

“The Frankston line also wins, with two extra morning weekday peak period trains.

“Providing 10 minute trains on the Dandenong line between morning and evening peaks will complement the government’s introduction of 10 minute Frankston trains. It is part of our commitment to provide a public transport system where commuters can simply turn up and go, rather than consulting a timetable or waiting at stations.”

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said that the expansion of public transport services was a statewide success story.

“V/Line’s Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon lines will have new timetables with some trains departing a few minutes earlier or later, while new dedicated train tracks for V/Line Ballarat, Bendigo and beyond trains will also open in July between Southern Cross and Sunshine as part of the $4.1 billion Regional Rail Link,” Mr Mulder said.

“This will mean more reliable services, an end to delays caused by being caught behind suburban trains, plus space to run more V/Line trains in the future.”

Mr Mulder said that tram timetables will be improved with 470 extra services per week, and a new route – Route 12 – will boost services to the fast growing Victoria Gardens area in Richmond.

Mr Mulder also said 130 local bus routes around the state would have timetable improvements to better coordinate with trains, and to boost services in growing areas.

“This timetable change will mean more than 3,260 extra bus trips per week across the state.

“Growth areas such as Bacchus Marsh and Cranbourne East will benefit from extra bus trips, while the bus network in Brimbank, Manningham and Port Phillip will have more direct routes.

“There will be smaller bus network improvements in Banyule, Boroondara, Casey, Darebin, Hume, Maroondah, Whitehorse, Wyndham and Yarra and a range of improvements across regional cities and towns

Dr Napthine said the Coalition Government’s investment in public transport was record breaking.

“Through continued investment in the public transport network, such as projects like the $8.5-11 billion Melbourne Rail Link, the $2-2.5 billion Cranbourne/Pakenham Rail Corridor Project, the $115 million Bayside Rail Project and the purchase of next generation trains and signalling systems, we will continue to improve public transport across the state.”

Dr Napthine also reminded Victorians of the Coalition Government’s commitment for more affordable public transport, with zone 1+2 travel capped at zone 1 prices and free tram travel in the CBD and Docklands from
1 January 2015.