State budget media release from the Premier of Victoria

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

New tracks, stations and rail network improvements are the centrepieces of a $2.07 billion boost to public transport services signalling the start of major projects and up to 10,000 jobs a year as outlined in the Brumby Labor Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

The Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, said the 2009 State Budget started delivery of the South Morang rail extension, the Sunbury rail line electrification and three new train stations at Williams Landing, Lynbrook and Caroline Springs to give thousands of Victorians access to metropolitan rail services for the first time. Planning for Cardinia Station, Pakenham is underway and Government will fund this project when planning is complete. This is expected later this year.

“The Brumby Labor Government’s State Budget starts delivering our $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, which will build a world-class transport system for the state,” Ms Kosky said.

“Upgrades on the Werribee and Dandenong lines are already underway and we are delivering important infrastructure and transport services to give Victorians more transport options over the short, medium and long term.

“Rail patronage is predicted to continue growing, with Melbourne’s rail network expected to carry 100 million extra passengers a year by 2012-13.

“The Brumby Government is investing in new trains and tracks to transform our rail network and cater for this extra growth and to secure jobs, with this budget alone securing up to 35,000 Victorian jobs.”

Ms Kosky said the budget started delivery of the first four years of the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan including:
• $650.6 million for 20 new X-Trapolis trains to cater for increasing demand for metropolitan rail services;

• $562.3 million to duplicate the single track between Keon Park and Epping and extend the Epping line 3.5 kilometres to the growth suburb of South Morang, securing up to 460 jobs in construction;

• $204.7 million to electrify the Sydenham line from Watergardens to the growth suburb of Sunbury, securing 240 jobs in construction;

• $152.6 million to build four new train stations in some of Melbourne’s biggest growth areas in the west and south-east, securing up to 210 jobs in construction;

• $112.1 million to build new buses and commence services similar to SmartBus services to and from Doncaster every 10 minutes in peak periods in 2011 as part of the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) project;

• $140 million in partnership with the Commonwealth to eliminate the level crossing at Springvale Road, Nunawading, creating a safer and less congested journey for motorists, rail passenger services and pedestrians. The $140 million project will be delivered in partnership with the Rudd Federal Government – a project that will secure 220 jobs in construction;

• $85.9 million to extend the existing Yellow SmartBus Route 901 service (Ringwood to Frankston) 70 kilometres from Ringwood to Melbourne Airport through Blackburn, Greensborough, South Morang, Epping and Roxburgh Park;

• $11.4 million for metropolitan train station upgrades including better customer amenities, walkways, drop-off areas, taxi zones and improved bus to train connections;

• $8.8 million for regional train station upgrades including better customer amenities, walkways, drop-off areas, taxi zones and improved bus to train connections;

• $132.1 million for a range of measures to improve reliability and capacity of rail services across Melbourne, including 24 staff to assist with passenger movements and improved driver changeover practices;

• $5 million to commence the procurement of up to 50 new trams; and

• $4 million towards safer taxi initiatives, including proposed safe taxi ranks in the CBD and similar proposals in other local government areas.

“We will deliver the South Morang rail extension without any new level crossings by using bridges and underpasses for existing roads along the 3.5 kilometre rail extension,” Ms Kosky said.

Ms Kosky said the new station at South Morang would include more than 500 commuter car parks, a safe drop-off area, a taxi rank, a bike cage and bus facilities, all of which will provide a range of transport choices for local residents.

The Sunbury electrification project will provide immediate relief on the busy Sydenham line while freeing up V/Line carriages which can be used on the Melton line to improve capacity and reliability.

“Sunbury and Diggers Rest passengers will have more than double the number of rail services operating earlier in the morning and later at night to cater for the needs of the local community,” Ms Kosky said.

Works to extend metropolitan rail services to Sunbury are expected to begin in 2010 and with train services expected to begin running on the line from 2012. The Government will call for tenders later this year to complete these important works.

Ms Kosky said new innovative bus services connecting many of Melbourne’s activity centres would be created with the continued expansion of the Route 901 Yellow SmartBus network.

“We will extend Melbourne’s second most popular bus route from Ringwood to Melbourne Airport to provide more regular and reliable transport across Melbourne’s outer suburbs,” Ms Kosky said.

Ms Kosky said the successful SmartBus Route 901 services helped about 7,600 Victorians travel between Ringwood and Frankston each weekday.

“Planning for other major bus projects such as DART will also commence later this year. The new DART service will build on improvements already delivered in Doncaster including an additional 27 Eastern Freeway express bus peak hour services each weekday,” Ms Kosky said.