Overcrowding on the Geelong rail line must be addressed urgently, Western Victoria Region MP Simon Ramsay told State Parliament this week.
Mr Ramsay said increased patronage had led to significant overcrowding, particularly during peak hours.
“Recent statistics indicated more than half of V/Line’s peak Geelong trains were fully packed in August.
“V/Line’s snapshot data for the month revealed seven of its 12 morning services on the Geelong line between 6am and 8am were at full capacity.
“These figures only record up to 100 per cent capacity and also showed that evening services departing from Melbourne between 4pm and 6.30pm were absolutely chock-a-block. Even the two largest trains, with 455 seats were overcrowded.
“Not surprisingly, the smallest train, the 7.14am from South Geelong, with just 222 seats, was also at full capacity.
“I’m sure many travellers will tell you that at peak times trains are over-capacity, even with services running every 20 minutes.
“With the Regional Rail Link and also with the Ballarat line converging into the Southern Cross dedicated track, there’s no more track capacity, except to possibly use the direct Southern Cross through to Werribee line, which is something I think the minister might well need to consider.”
Mr Ramsay told Parliament that Geelong commuters needed more carriages “right now” so additional commuters could ride peak-time services that were “obviously overstretched and at full capacity”.
“I’ve made an urgent plea to the minister to look at options to increase capacity on the rail track between Geelong and Southern Cross so passengers can at least travel in some comfort and safety but also to have the opportunity to be able to use the service at all, given the full capacity at those peak times.”
