Thursday, 1 November 2018

Gippsland locals can look forward to more frequent and reliable train services and more travel choice thanks to a re-elected Andrews Labor Government.

A re-elected Labor Government will deliver a Superstation at Pakenham which will include a dedicated V/Line track and third platform to separate the regional and metropolitan trains at the new station. This will improve reliability, and reduce congestion at Pakenham where metro and regional trains meet.

The new Pakenham station – to be delivered as part of the commitment to remove all four level crossings in Pakenham – will provide Gippsland passengers travelling to the suburbs the option of a seamless interchange onto high frequency metro services, to be serviced by the new, bigger High Capacity Metro Trains. There will be no change to existing Gippsland V/Line services, which will continue to run through to the city.

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the $530 million Gippsland Line Upgrade, which will deliver more frequent and reliable train services to and from Traralgon and has already seen modern V/Locity trains run to Bairnsdale for the first time.

The Labor Government has also invested $9 million across the rail corridor to deliver accessibility, safety and car parking improvements at Traralgon, Moe, Trafalgar and Morwell stations. We’ve added additional V/Locity carriages and over 25 services, to get people where they need to go and the Gippsland Line Upgrade will allow for trains every 20 minutes during the morning peak.

A re-elected Labor Government will also begin planning work to increase services between Pakenham and Traralgon, providing improved public transport options for local passengers to access education, jobs and social events in and throughout the Latrobe Valley.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“Works are underway on the Gippsland Line Upgrade which will allow for more trains more often – and a Superstation at Pakenham will deliver a more reliable service.”

“Unlike the Victorian Liberals we are delivering real projects – that will get people where they need to go.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We are absolutely determined to continue the work we have started to improve the services on the Gippsland line.”

“A new Superstation along with the removal of these four level crossings in Pakenham will improve the reliability of our services and provide more travel choices for passengers who are travelling to and from Gippsland.”