Four extra services and 100 new car spaces for Kyneton station

KYNETON commuters are rejoicing with news it will get more train services every day and up to 100 new car spaces.

KYNETON train station is to get four extra services off peak every day and up to 100 new car spaces.

State Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas made the announcement at Kyneton station on Friday morning.

The 100 extra parks at Kyneton are in addition to up to 40 more at Gisborne station, and a major upgrade to Woodend station car park, which will be paved and get better lighting.

Ms Thomas was delighted with the announcement.

“More and more people are catching the train to work, which is putting massive pressure on car parking at Kyneton, Gisborne and Woodend stations,” she said.

Woodend commuter Natasha Gayfer said the upgrades to Woodend station would make a huge difference.

“I love the train travel, you can get a seat and it’s comfortable,” she said.

“But there are only limited morning peak services and if I have to do a school run, I have to drive to Diggers Rest to pick up one of the Met services.

“It has been ad hoc the parking in Woodend and it gets muddy and cold, so the lighting and surfacing improvements will make a difference.”

The funding is part of more than a billion dollars the Labor Government invested in better regional public transport through last week’s budget.

It includes $280 million for 27 new VLocity carriages, $141 million for critical maintenance and $198 million to rebuild V/Line.

Ms Allan said the investment was critical and would “reduce the daily scramble to get to work or school, and mean more choice for more local passengers about how they get around.”