Media Release from the Minister for Public Transport

Friday 5 December 2008

MORE REGIONAL TRAINS AND RETURN OF PASSENGER SERVICES TO MARYBOROUGH

The Brumby Government will deliver up to 74 new V/Line carriages to the regional passenger rail fleet, providing relief on V/Line’s busiest regional and intercity services – and will deliver the historic restoration of passenger rail services to Maryborough in 2010.

The Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, said passenger numbers on the regional rail network were at 60 year highs and additional carriages were needed to maintain passenger standards and comfort.

“The Brumby Government is taking action on transport, so that Victorians can have the best transport network in Australia,” Ms Kosky said.

“Delivering the best transport system in Australia will mean Victorians can spend less time commuting and more time with family and friends.

“Our $38 billion action plan also will generate up to 10,000 jobs a year during construction, resulting in more than 100,000 jobs over the life of the plan.

“In tougher global times, the Brumby Government is taking action to deliver thousands of jobs now and to build for our next era of prosperity.”

Ms Kosky said the new investment in regional passenger rail was made possible by the Government’s re-investment, following years of neglect in the 1990s.

“Since 1999, the Government has delivered the hugely successful Regional Fast Rail Project, restored train services to Ararat and Bairnsdale, upgraded tracks for faster trains, slashed fares and added more than 400 new weekly services,” Ms Kosky said.

“The Victorian Transport Plan delivers $550 million to increase to up to 74 the number of V/Line trains on order for the regional rail fleet – up from 50,” she said.

The Brumby Government has also committed $50 million to reinstate passenger train services to Maryborough, via Ballarat. The project will include upgrading the track, associated signalling works and train stabling as appropriate.

“The section of track between Melbourne and Maryborough has already been upgraded as part of the Mildura Freight Upgrade, meaning it is now easier to get it to a standard suitable for passenger services,” Ms Kosky said.

“And with a $1 million heritage upgrade completed at Maryborough Station earlier this year, the conditions are just right to allow us to restore passenger services. Once complete, passengers can look forward to a daily return service on a VLocity train via Ballarat.

“This provides terrific opportunities for Maryborough residents to commute to Ballarat and Melbourne for work, study or leisure.”