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The public transport advocacy group for Victoria, Australia

Media Release

12/04/2000

High Frequency, Fast Trains "Easily Achieved" says PTUA

Wendy Everingham, PTUA Treasurer and John McPherson, PTUA Vicepresident were in Ballarat last Friday, April 7 and met four local politicians - Diane Hadden, Karen Overington, Geoff Howard and John McQuilton.  All were pushing for the "fast train" concept.

The PTUA message was that new services should be very frequent - The PTUA specified every half hour all day and into the evening, to and from Melbourne.  The PTUA pushed the need for up to 5 services per day to extend to both Ararat and Maryborough. The PTUA also put the view that possibly two of the new railcar services per day should go north to Mildura. These services could integrate into the "fast train" service pattern east to Melbourne from Ballarat.

Also the need for much improved frequent bus services to more towns to complete a usable network across western Victoria was emphasised.  Frequency and connectivity are big issues.

The PTUA believes an under one hour timetable is achievable quite easily:

Major works :

A "cut-off" to avoid the Bungaree loop which could save 12 minutes.

Minor works:

  • Some realignments inside railway property.
  • More cant on curves will raise average speeds considerably.
  • Organise a four track mainline from Footscray to Sunshine.
    • A regular interval timetable would make control of passing loops much easier.
  • Track quality upgrade during regular maintenance.

The PTUA has also met Mr Russell Savage MLA and Mr Geoff Smithwick, CEO of V/Line Passenger. Soon we will meet senior Department of Infrastructure officers. Minister Batchelor's chief of staff Lachlan MacDonald informs us that the three consultants' reports on the "fast train" project will not be released for some weeks as they must go to the Premier's office first.

Contacts:
PTUA Office 9650 7898

Page not found | Public Transport Users Association (Victoria, Australia)

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The public transport advocacy group for Victoria, Australia

Last Modified: 12 April 2000