Minor changes to Ballarat and Geelong train line services are expected to provide better spacing of arrivals and departures at Deer Park station.
The state government announced last week changes to schedules at stations on both lines would “create a more stable timetable”.
The government would not explain what it meant by ‘stable timetable’ or if it was related to the chronic traffic delays at the Mount Derrimut Road level crossing, but said details of the changes will be released in coming weeks.
RELATED: DEER PARK CROSSING TO STAY DESPITE DUPLICATION
All V/Line trains will be back running as normal from June 26 following the resolution of issues with wheel wear.
The changes come as a Derrimut resident launches a petition to have the notorious level crossing removed.
Rem Richards, who drives to Sunshine train station every weekday morning, told Star Weekly he often waits for up to seven trains to pass through the crossing.
Long delays
He said $518 million in works announced in the state government budget to duplicate the Ballarat line “does not go far enough”.
“Often, during the morning and afternoon peak periods, the boom gates are down for significant lengths of time; in regular cases between 25 and 40 minutes,” he said.
“This includes periods of up to 10 or 12 minutes when no train is either arriving or departing the platforms at Deer Park station
“Today [last Monday], the traffic was banked up for over 2.5 kilometres and the boom gates were down for 23 minutes at peak hour.
“This is just unbelievable and embarrassing for a major metropolitan area.” Mr Richards said he had regularly seen frustrated commuters take matters into their own hands.
“I’ve witnessed on countless occasions, pedestrians, rail commuters and cyclists climbing over or walking around the safety barriers while the crossing alarm is sounding and the boom gates are down,” he said.
“I’ve witnessed motorcyclists riding around the boom gates and passengers in vehicles attempting to raise the smaller boom gate by hand, allowing vehicles through and vehicles crossing the traffic islands to seek a different route.”
A spokesman for Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the timetable changes would ensure more reliable and punctual services.
Click here to sign Mr Richard’s petition.
