Diggers Rest train station a ghost town despite multi-million dollar upgrade

A SUBURBAN train station that had a multi-million dollar upgrade four years ago is still not operating as a working station, locals claim.

Millions wasted on diggers rest train station. no PSO'S toilets and ticket office closed. Picture : Mike Keating.

A SUBURBAN train station that had a multi-million dollar upgrade four years ago is still not operating as a working station, locals claim.

The 157-year-old Diggers Rest train station received a long overdue facelift, including a new PSO building, extended platforms, and new toilets in 2012.

PSOs have yet to start work at the station while anyone needing a comfort break is forced to cross the road to a nearby cafe as the toilets are permanently closed.

Locals say the station often resembles a ghost town with the ticket office out of action since October 2012.

A sign on the ticket office window informs commuters that no Metcards will be sold after Monday, October 8 (2012).

There’s no PSO'S and the toilets and ticket office are closed at the Diggers Rest train station. Picture: Mike Keating

A sign at the ticket office refers to the sale of now-retired metcards. Picture: Mike Keating

In a letter last November to Melton Council chief executive Kel Tori seen by the Herald Sun, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the station’s facilities would remain closed until passenger numbers increased.

Diggers Rest resident David O’Connor said the upgraded station was meant to relieve pressure from nearby Sunbury while providing for the town’s future growth.

However, most days its 550-strong car park is less than half full as commuters shy away from the facility starved station.

“How can passenger levels increase without adequate facilities?”

Mr Tori said the council was disappointed about the current situation at Diggers Rest train station.

“In recent years the Victorian Government invested $270m in extending the metro network to Sunbury to provide train users with a more frequent and reliable train service,” Mr Tori said.

“An element of this extension was the significant upgrade of the Diggers Rest train station, including much enhanced public amenities, which are now not available for public use.

“Council has raised the issue with the previous and current State Government and will continue to advocate to the Government for a solution.”

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the station’s facilities would remain closed until passenger numbers increased. Picture: Mike Keating

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen urged the State Government to ensure that Diggers Rest station was operating soon.

“Metcards were phased-out in late 2012, so that notice has obviously been there for some years,” Mr Bowen said.

PTV spokesman John Lindsay said decisions on staffing and facilities at stations were made on a network-wide basis to ensure resources were directed to where they will have the most impact.

“Sunbury and Watergardens stations either side of Diggers Rest station are premium stations with bathroom facilities available from first to last service,” he said.

“Prior to electrification of the Sunbury line from Watergardens to Sunbury, Diggers Rest was a V/Line station and staffed only in the AM peak.

“Bathroom facilities were not available when the station was not staffed.”

Victoria Police spokeswoman Lisa Beechey said PSOs have not yet been deployed to Diggers Rest.

“All stations will have PSOs deployed by June 30,” she said.

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