General News
30 March, 2022
MP slams delays to fifth rail service
MEMBER for Western Victoria Stuart Grimley has asked Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll to provide a timeframe for when a fifth daily service will be added to the Warrnambool line.
MEMBER for Western Victoria Stuart Grimley has asked Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll to provide a timeframe for when a fifth daily service will be added to the Warrnambool line.
During a constituency question in Parliament last week, Mr Grimley said south west Victorian councils, including Moyne and Corangamite, had expressed a desire to see urgent investment made in rail andpublic transport.
He said it had been five years since towns on the Warrnambool rail line were initially promised the faster V/Locity trains and a fifth daily service to Melbourne, but the Victorian Government had yet to deliver.
“The government need to keep their promise for a fifth daily Warrnambool service to Melbourne,” Mr Grimley said.
“Connectivity has never been more important for Victoria than now, and the pandemic has shown that more people than ever want to live in the country.
“Towns along the south west train line are in a perfect position to welcome new residents.
“Warrnambool, Colac, Camperdown and Terang are just a few of the towns that would benefit from an improved rail service, providing more incentive for people to move to their towns.”
Mr Grimley said he welcomed the Federal Government’s 2020 commitment for stage two of the line upgrades, but called for immediate action to improve the service.
“I would say that I’m shocked that it has been five years since the announcement and the project hasn’t been completed. The trains for this line should have been well and truly ordered by now,” he said.
“Locals in Warrnambool are desperate for these upgrades, particularly those with disabilities who struggle to get aboard the old rolling stock currently in use.
“We must see more equality between regional Victoria and metropolitan Victoria.
“If there was a disability access issue for trains in Melbourne, I’m certain it wouldn’t take five years to fix.”
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll was contacted for comment but did not respond prior to publication.