By Luke Voogt
An opposition MP has called on the State Government to provide a strategic works plan for a proposed 35-minute fast rail link between Geelong and Melbourne.
Simon Ramsay urged Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to investigate a recent Rail Futures Institute report detailing a 200km/h service.
“All V/Line customers want is WiFi on the train, where they can do their business, and a 35-minute trip from Geelong to Melbourne in a sitting position,” the Western Victoria MP said.
“Commuters are still unhappy with the slow and outdated service, which takes no less than 56 minutes on a good day to Melbourne, even with the introduction of the regional rail link.”
But Ms Allan said Mr Ramsay needed to read the report properly.
She pointed out the 35-minute service between Melbourne and Geelong was part of phase two, scheduled for completion in 2040.
“It’s astounding that Simon Ramsey would call on us to develop a works plan without any investigation of the report or detailed planning.”
The institute premised the report on a “huge amount of investment“ in a new rail tunnel or tracks from Southern Cross Station through Melbourne’s west to enable the high-speed service, she said.
“Now they (the opposition) have latched on to a report they haven’t read properly and (called for a) works plan for a project that hasn’t been investigated which the report says isn’t needed until 2040.
“People in Geelong don’t need Mr Ramsay’s sporadic interest in public transport – they need new trains, more services and a properly planned rail system they can rely on.“
