The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the government’s announcement that the introduction of a fifth daily train to Shepparton will be brought forward.
Enabling work, including a new crossing loop and more train stabling, was originally to be completed by 2020, but the state government announced on Wednesday that construction will begin sooner than expected. It will allow trains to run more frequently and reliably on the Shepparton line.
PTUA Regional Spokesperson, Paul Westcott, noted that Shepparton-Mooroopna is one of the fastest-growing regional areas centres in Victoria, and deserves a faster, more frequent and more reliable rail service to Melbourne.
“At the moment, train services to Shepparton/Mooroopna fall well short of those to regional centres such as Ballarat or Bendigo,” he said. “That has led to considerable dissatisfaction in the Goulburn Valley, and it has been an increasing problem as the population grows.”
“With more frequent trains, passengers will have more choice about when they travel, and not have to wait such a long time between trains, making trips to Melbourne more attractive and convenient,” Mr Westcott said.
“This investment in infrastructure and services on the Shepparton line is an important step towards a better-connected Goulburn Valley.”