Greens candidates have promised to push for electrification and duplication of the Melton rail line during the next term of government.
Kororoit candidate Phillip Hill, Melton candidate Marie-Anne Cooper and St Albans candidate Lisa Asbury have vowed to hold both Labor and the Coalition to account over the west’s transport needs, saying electrification and duplication of the Melton line is a top priority.
A V/Line report obtained by the Greens under freedom of information reveals that duplication and electrification of the Melton line is needed to cope with growth, while services to stations at Rockbank, Deer Park and Ardeer were “currently sparse and unattractive to users”.
Mr Hill said Deer Park, Ardeer and Melton were still being serviced by infrequent country trains, despite being densely populated.
“Caroline Springs, an established suburb since 2005, doesn’t yet have a train station,” he said.
Ms Cooper said patronage on the Melton line was tipped to double by 2024.
“A damning V/Line report obtained by the Greens under freedom of information laws outlined that Melton line trains could be standing-room-only from day one of the opening of the regional rail link,” she said.
“This timeline gives us until the end of 2015 to complete the Melton line duplication and electrification.
“Labor keeps walking into office and doing little for the west. We need change – a party committed to public transport, a party with a plan and one we can trust to keep to their promises,” Ms Cooper said.
