By Karen Poh
THE train ‘squash’ index on the Sydenham line is unlikely to experience a sharp decline with the introduction of 200 extra services across the Melbourne metropolitan network, according to one passenger.
The new Melbourne metropolitan train timetable was unveiled last Thursday by the Brumby Government, and will come into effect from 30 September.
Premier John Brumby said the new timetable would provide 35 extensions to services a week, including additional peak-hour services.
Changes on the Sydenham line include an additional 6.18am service from Sydenham to Flinders St, a 7.21am service from Flinders St to Watergardens, and a 7.14pm service from Flinders St to St Albans.
Hillside resident Shane Milverton commutes to work daily on the 7.09am or 7.23am train from Watergardens to Parliament Station, and back home on the 5.04pm, 5.15pm or 5.25pm trains.
“Having a look (at the timetable), it appears to me that … the additional trains are out of the peak period. The 7.14pm train from Flinders St doesn’t even go as far as Watergardens,” Mr Milverton said. “I can’t see how these services will ease congestion during the 7.09am-8.22am or the 4.16-6.16pm peak times.
“T2rains will still be congested through the peak times from Watergardens in the morning,” he said.
Despite the addition of an extra peak morning service in the last reshuffle, the carriages are still packed, Mr Milverton said.
“These are all full by the time the train leaves Sunshine, only five stops from the start. People at middle Footscray, Footscray and North Melbourne cannot get on,” he said.
Keilor MP George Seitz said the extra services would benefit those whose work hours fell before and after the main morning and evening peak periods.
Copies of the new timetable are available from Connex stations or from www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
