A new Melbourne Airport rail link must stop at Sunshine station if it is to benefit local commuters, according to the Public Transport Users Association.
The state government last week revealed plans for a new rail flyover at Albion station to handle increased train services.
Trains would run along dedicated tracks from the airport to Albion before joining the existing rail network to the city.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below
The government has indicated it plans to make Sunshine a key stop, but the project has yet to be costed and no definitive timeline is available.
PTUA president Tony Morton said the inclusion of a Sunshine stop was critical. “The specific usefulness of the airport link will depend on whether the airport trains stop at Sunshine to provide an interchange point for the western suburbs,” he said. “If not, it’s unlikely to help much.”
Mr Morton said residents who worked at or near the airport would benefit from avoiding congestion on the Calder Freeway.
The government said the rail plan would be factored into the next state budget, but a timeline is unclear. The link is unlikely to be finished until at least the next term of government, in the early 2020s.
The electrified service is expected to take roughly 25 minutes, with services running every 10 minutes in peak hours.
“The new link will consist of a combination of at-grade and viaduct rail lines that will run from Albion through the Jacana freight corridor and airport land, terminating at a new elevated station at Melbourne Airport,” Premier Denis Napthine said.
“Metropolitan and regional commuters will also be able to access the Melbourne Airport at key interchanges at Footscray and Sunshine.
“A new rail flyover will be constructed at Albion to ensure smooth access to the existing rail network.”
The Albion East route has previously been identified as the preferred option for an airport rail link.
A Brimbank council spokesman said the announcement cemented Sunshine’s regional importance, with the loop providing a vital connection point.
Albion Residents Action Group spokesman Frank Reinthaler said the rail link would be a “real boon for the area”.
But Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino said the link would do nothing to fix congestion and train delays. ‘‘Denis Napthine isn’t fixing the train you take every day; he’s talking about a train you might use once a year.’’
