Plans to extend platforms at Ardeer station to accommodate nine-carriage Vlocity trains — up from the current six carriage capacity — have now been cut after the state government announced it would fast-track the Melton line upgrade.
Platforms will still be extended at Deer Park, Caroline Springs, Rockbank and Cobblebank stations.
According to the state government, extending platforms at Ardeer station — a 2022 election promise — would require a full station rebuild due to limited space and curved platforms.
The government said Ardeer station is currently positioned within the potential rail corridor so works to extend and straighten platforms would become redundant when the station is rebuilt and repositioned to the north.
There will be no impact to service levels at Ardeer station following delivery of the Melton line upgrade, according to the government.
Brimbank mayor Cr Thuy Dang told Star Weekly that Brimbank council was disappointed Ardeer station would miss out on service improvements as part of the upgrade projects.
“Ardeer is located close to the Sunshine superhub and services rapid population growth corridors in Melbourne’s west. The electrification of the Melton line is an important step to provide commuters with better transport services and will have flow-on benefits for the region,” Cr Dang said.
“Council urges the Victorian government to budget and schedule the construction works needed for the electrification and extension of the metropolitan train network to Melton and Wyndham Vale once the works at Sunshine superhub are completed. Without a budget committed and a clear timeline for delivery, we are concerned that the Ardeer area will miss out on improved public transport access for many years to come.”
The new Melton station with four platforms to accommodate Ballarat train services will open next year as part of the fast-tracked Melton line upgrade, and will provide dedicated platforms for services that starting and ending at Melton, including nine-carriage trains.
A new stabling yard will also be built at Cobblebank, which will allow the longer VLocity trains to be at Melton station for the first services to the city each morning.
Stabling yard and platform extension construction is expected to start early next year, with the nine-carriage VLocity trains running on the Melton line from 2027, once the project is complete.
