Work has started on the first stage of the Calder Park train “stabling facility”, which will improve the efficiency of the Sunbury line.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the new storage facility would deliver more services more often with greater reliability, punctuality and safety as fewer trains would need to be transferred from other lines.
The facility, which will hold up to six trains, is being built at Holden Street, near the Calder Freeway, and is only 15 minutes from Sunbury station.
Stage one of the project is due to be completed by the middle of next year.
Currently, two trains are being stored at St Albans, with additional trains at Sunbury and Watergardens.
“Ensuring trains can be stored at key locations across the network is vital for the efficient and reliable operation of our trains and planning for more train services,” Mr Mulder said.
“Without more stabling [at Calder Park], trains would need to travel long distances without passengers to reach their start-of-service locations.”
The stabling site will enable new services to be added to the Sunbury line as and when they are required, a spokesman for Mr Mulder said.
The facility will also include an amenities building, a car park for drivers and staff, lighting and closed-circuit TV coverage.
