Brimbank council has called for an urgent review of safety and better integration of public transport services at all local railway stations.
Expanded bus services are urgently needed in areas “experiencing population growth”, the council’s transport priorities update report found.
And it urged the state government to consider a bus link to Melbourne Airport.
“An airport link from Sunshine would eliminate the need for people from the west, and the regional areas, to travel into the city to catch a bus to the airport.”
The council has told the state government Brimbank’s train stations need to be “brought up to an acceptable, modern standard that would increase patronage and provide a reasonable level of service to the community”. “Safety in and around train stations in Brimbank continues to be a significant issue for the community,” its latest transport priorities report found. “Manning of stations, improved lighting and better security would help to alleviate some of these concerns.
“The service level at many stations does not meet the needs of the community. A number of train stations do not have adequate facilities, such as accessible toilets and suitable shelter.”
The report reinforced council’s view of Brimbank as being “relatively poorly serviced by public transport” and “over-reliant on cars”.
“There are limited transport choices available to Brimbank residents, with no trams and limited bus services, often requiring [people] to drive to their destination,” the report found.
“The industrial areas to the south-west of Brimbank are particularly poorly served. This has resulted in 92 per cent of people travelling to work by car, with only four per cent by public transport.
“A new expanded and integrated [public transport] service should be considered.”
By contrast, the report found the Sydenham railway line is one of the most overcrowded in Melbourne, and urged that the duplication and electrification of the train line to Melton be “accelerated” to address shortfalls in commuter parking at train stations.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the government shared “Brimbank’s passion for better public transport”.
The minister said the government is investing “billions to remove the most dangerous and congested level crossings, and improving train services through Melbourne Metro Rail”.
