Residents across the state are calling on the state government to reinstate a platform at Sunshine station that would allow travellers from Victoria’s north-east to easily access Melbourne’s west, the Metro Tunnel and the future Airport Rail Link (ARL).
XPT (eXpress passenger trains) from NSW and passenger trains from Albury already pass through Sunshine station, on the same standard gauge line used by freight trains, however passenger trains aren’t able to stop at the station as there hasn’t been a platform for the line since 2004.
The Albury V/Line service passes through areas including Wangaratta, Benalla, Euroa, Seymour and Broadmeadows.
Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch said he would like the platform included as part of the $4 billion Sunshine Superhub project.
“It’s meant to be a major connecting point for all rail services that pass through there but there’s one rail service that passes through there that can’t stop at Sunshine because there’s no platform,” he said.
“Our argument is that this becomes more important once the Metro Tunnel opens shortly.
“People who come from that part of the state often want to access places like Melbourne University or, more likely, the hospital precinct.
“They can’t do that easily whereas if they stop at Sunshine they just do one change and get to Parkville.”
Once the Metro Tunnel opens on 30 November, travellers on the Sunbury line will be able to directly access the five new stations.
Mr Hearsch also said a platform on the standard gauge line in Sunshine would better connect travellers to regional V/Line services to Geelong and Ballarat which already pass through Sunshine.
“Yes, you take the Geelong train at Southern Cross but you’re doubling back onto Sunshine,” he said.
“It doesn’t make sense. It just adds about 40-45 minutes to the journey, taking in waiting time, for no reason.
“It’s pretty basic really and in our view it’s not a big deal to put [the platform] back.”
Mr Hearsch said reinstating the platform would not cost much in proportion to the cost of the Sunshine Superhub project.
Sunshine Business Association vice-president John Girardi said reinstating the platform would encourage more people to stop and visit Sunshine.
“I think it’s a real shame because this is going to be a massive, transport, interchange hub,” he said.
“It just means that that whole station is not as functional as what it should be. Eventually [Sunshine] will become like a second city. [The platform] will make Sunshine the true superhub they’re wanting to make it.”
Border Rail Action Group is an advocacy group working to improve rail services in Victoria’s north-east.
Executive member Dennis Toohey said the platform reinstatement would more efficiently integrate train lines and bus services.
“[The state government] doesn’t have a future vision in mind as far as the north-east is concerned and that’s disappointing,” he said.
“Future travellers will be a little bit annoyed that there isn’t a standard gauge platform within the Sunshine redevelopment.”
A state government spokesperson told Star Weekly the Sunshine Superhub project is prioritising critical infrastructure that will boost services and cater to the largest number of passengers – while delivering the best value for investment.
“Once complete, the superhub will make way for Melbourne Airport Rail and the electrification of the Melton Line – with works including track upgrades, new signalling technology, new rail bridges and realigned passenger and freight lines,” the spokesperson said.
The state government said it would be faster for Albury Line passengers to stop at Broadmeadows and take a bus to Melbourne Airport.
It also said when the future SRL (suburban rail loop) North opens regional passengers will easily be able to transfer from Broadmeadows to Melbourne Airport.
Mr Toohey said the SRL North is not a short-term solution.
The state government did not provide a date as to when the SRL North project would be completed.
