Frankston’s troubled public transport system crisis added to listed as an urgent project
A radical plan to make it easier for Mornington Peninsula commuters to catch trains has moved a step closer after a public transport initiative was made a short-term national priority.
South East
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Frankston’s public transport problems could soon be defused and the train line extended for five kilometres after a push to fix the issue landed on the country’s list of urgent transport projects.
Late and cancelled trains and a poorly connected public transport network could soon become a thing of the past for the region after Infrastructure Australia added the headache to the nation’s register of transport concerns.
Listed as ‘Frankston public transport connectivity’, the issue is one of just six Victorian projects in the “near-term” category of zero to five years.
The project was proposed by the Committee for Greater Frankston, which previously tossed up ideas to rejuvenate the region’s public transport system — including a new station at Langwarrin and links to Leawarra and Baxter on the Stony Point line.
More ideas included a new bus interchange at Baxter and shifting Leawarra station towards Frankston Hospital with new platforms at Jubilee Park.
Last month, the Frankston line was named among the state’s worst performers for late, cancelled and bypassed services, wiping out 150 rides and recording more than 11 per cent behind schedule services.
Committee for Greater Frankston CEO Ginevra Hosking said the much-needed extension would drive job creation, boot cars off congested roads, free up car spaces in the CBD and bring more people to Frankston Hospital and Monash University Peninsula campus.
“The precinct now accommodates more than 20,000 students, staff and visitors across Frankston Hospital, Monash University and Chisholm TAFE … after redevelopment, Frankston’s TAFE will be the state’s largest,” she told the Leader.
“(The extension would) connect Peninsula Shire’s 165,000 strong-population to the metropolitan rail network and a further 37,500 residents from suburbs in Frankston’s east.
“(It would) provide six times more Monash students with access to their campus within 50 minutes’ travelling time.”
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The lobby group’s submission will move to stage two of the transport body’s assessment framework before a proponent to identify initiatives and develop options to improve the public transport network is launched.
“(The listing) is fantastic news and proof that solving the region’s lack of public transport is a state and nationally important project,” Ms Hosking said.
“It’s vital to unleashing the potential of our region.”
Other Victorian projects in Infrastructure Australia’s near-term category include Melbourne Airport’s third runway — due to open in 2025 — the Eastern Fwy and CityLink connection, and level crossing removal works which are already underway.