By VANESSA VALENZUELA
COMMUTERS in Melbourne’s West are set to benefit from a new timetable that will boost the number of weekly train services on the Sunbury line.
An extra 90 train services will be added to Melbourne’s metro rail network, with metropolitan trains running to Sunbury from Watergardens for the first time next month.
Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said the new timetables will help boost the number of weekly train trips and extend Metro suburban trains from Watergardens to Diggers Rest and Sunbury.
Mr Mulder said the State Government had delivered 1078 new weekly Metro train trips across Melbourne and more than 2000 extra weekly bus trips.
“The extra 90 trains a week will be a great help to commuters on the Sunbury line (formerly Sydenham) along with Craigieburn and Upfield,” he said.
Mr Mulder said the changes follow the successful completion of the $270 million electrification of the Sunbury line.
“Fourty-six bus timetables in the north-western suburbs will change from 18 November to provide better train connections for thousands of commuters,” Mr Mulder said.
Brimbank Council’s General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment Paul Younis said residents would benefit from the new train services and altered bus routes.
“Increased train services along the Sydenham Rail corridor and altered bus routes to improve connectivity will improve access for residents and the liveability of Brimbank neighbourhoods and the changes are strongly supported by Council,” Mr Younis said.
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) Chair and Chief Executive Ian Dobbs said timetable overhaul in the northwest would improve connections between trains, trams and buses.
“PTV is focused on improving the whole journey for commuters. This guides the extensive planning that goes into implementing a new timetable,” Mr Dobbs said.
“We will continue to revamp the network to help maximise capacity and provide better connections between trains, trams and buses.”
The new train timetable commences Saturday 18 November.
For more information visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au
