Gippsland’s direct rail service to the Melbourne CBD is safe….for now.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath has received written confirmation from the Victorian Government that there are “no current plans” to alter Gippsland’s direct V/Line service to Melbourne’s CBD when it resumes.
In response to Ms Bath’s letter seeking clarity on behalf of concerned commuters, Labor’s Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams wrote:
“Gippsland’s V/Line rail service will continue to terminate or originate from either Southern Cross Station or Flinders Street Station,” and
“There are no current plans to transfer Gippsland line passengers to or from metropolitan rail services at Pakenham East.”
Ms Bath said regional commuters will receive the news with guarded scepticism.
“What Labor dictates for Gippsland rail when the Metro Tunnel opens is anyone’s guess.
“Gippsland passengers deserve a continuous V/Line service to the Melbourne CBD without the need to change trains.”
Ms Bath warned that any future move to remove Gippsland’s V/Line’s direct access to the CBD would be met with fierce opposition from locals and The Nationals.
She also expressed disappointment at the Minister’s confirmation that the transit time from Traralgon to Melbourne is to be 2 hours and 20 minutes when services resume.
“Labor blew the project budget by $350 million and failed to deliver the promised Bunyip River bridge duplication, which bottlenecks the service, increasing travel time.
“It’s extraordinary that Labor has spent $878 million and put Gippsland passengers through a decade of disruptions but won’t be delivering a faster service.
“While trains are expected to depart every 40 minutes from Traralgon, the journey to Melbourne still takes 40 minutes longer than it did in 1984.
“Gippslanders will not receive the full suite of promised upgrades despite the service being plagued by abysmal punctuality for a decade.”
Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage regional rail upgrades and Gippsland is paying the price.
