New rail link but no stops at North Melbourne

THE first section of the much-vaunted Regional Rail Link is set to open this month _ but it won’t be stopping at North Melbourne.
A new timetable will also require some Geelong commuters to depart earlier.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said new tracks between South Kensington and Southern Cross would give Geelong line trains, running into platforms 15 and 16, an uninterrupted
path in and out of Southern Cross.
“Geelong line trains will no longer stop at North Melbourne, however, all
Geelong line trains will connect with Metro trains at Footscray and
Southern Cross,” Mr Mulder said.
“While most Geelong trains will use the new platforms, some will not, so it
is important that passengers check passenger information displays at
Southern Cross before they travel.”
The new tracks and platforms are scheduled to open on Sunday 22 December.
The $4.8 billion Regional Rail Link has been criticised by the Public Transport Users Association for running past North Melbourne station without a stop, despite it being the best station for changes to the City Loop, and other rail and bus services.
PTUA spokesman Paul Westcott  has slammed as “pure spin” Mr Mulder’s argument that continuing to allow V/Line passengers to use North Melbourne would “add to congestion” at the station, when the station was recently rebuilt at a cost of $30 million to boost its capacity.
“The minister is trying to dress up a downgrade as an improvement,” Mr Westcott said recently.
“It’s nonsense to claim that regional trains will suffer delays from congestion by stopping at North Melbourne because they will now all stop at Footscray instead.”
North Melbourne was currently a major interchange point for travellers on regional lines, providing connections to City Loop services, as well as the recently-introduced 401 shuttle bus from North Melbourne to the university and hospital precincts in Parkville, the PTUA said.
“After the RRL opens, V/Line passengers wanting to transfer to the City Loop will be forced to change trains at Footscray, from where they can only use Sydenham line trains to gain access to the Loop, because all other trains stopping at Footscray only run direct to Flinders Street.”

– noel.murphy@geelongindependent.com.au