Rowville Rail: What will it take to finally get long awaited rail link?

It has been mooted for more than 50 years but a train line to Rowville remains a pipe dream. What will it take to finally get the line built?

An artist's impression of trackless trams, which have been proposed for Rowville.

It has been mooted for more than 50 years, but a train line to Rowville still remains a pipe dream.

Public transport advocates haven’t given up the push of improving life for weary drivers forced to battle clogged roads in the southeast.

A train line extending from Huntingdale station, or the extension of the Glen Waverley line, would be a dream come true for many Rowville residents.

One proposal was for the line to extend from Huntingdale station, with stops at Monash University, Mulgrave, Waverley Park and Rowville.

Extending the rail line to Rowville was first suggested back in 1969, but it has never come to fruition, with trackless trams now seeming like a more realistic option.

Knox Mayor Marcia Timmers-Leitch said the lack of public transport had long created challenges for Knox residents who face heavy traffic commuting to work and study or long travel times on disconnected public transport.

Cr Timmers-Leitch said state government investment in heavy rail was focused on delivering the Suburban Rail Loop.

“This is likely to mean there will be little progress on Rowville Rail for at least 15-20 years,” she said.

“Council is backing a proposal for a trackless tram between Caulfield Station and Rowville, with connections at Monash University and Chadstone Shopping Centre. This is a cheaper alternative that could improve public transport options for residents in this corridor years before a tram or train route could be built.”

The federal government has funded a business case for the trackless tram proposal, with a trip from Rowville to Monash University set to take just 11 minutes.

Eastern Transport Coalition chair Cr Stuart James said the group had been a long supporter of mass transit to Rowville in whatever form it takes.

“We have been long supporters of heavy rail, supported the Andrews’ Government’s commitment to build light rail and partnered with Vicinity Centres and Monash University to push the case for trackless trams,” Cr Jams said.

“On the back of the latest advocacy push, a business case is currently underway with funding committed by both the federal and state governments late last year. The business case is due to be released by years’ end.”

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said a key benefit of Rowville Rail was to provide Monash University with a rail connection.

“This looks set to be performed by the Suburban Rail Loop, assuming SRL East gets completed,” Mr Bowen said.

“But it is still important to provide a quick reliable public transport route for thousands of residents further east along Wellington Rd.

“Apart from a rail link, other technologies have also been suggested, such as light rail or trackless tram. Even a beefed up bus system with longer articulated electric buses, dedicated lanes and traffic light priority would be a vast improvement.

“Whatever is provided needs to be fast, frequent, reliable, and have the capacity to get large numbers of people out of the traffic, and provide a genuine alternative to driving.”