Labor MPs raise concerns with Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan about airport rail
As a decision nears on the final design of the airport rail link, Labor MPs have raised concerns with Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan about how the project will improve metro and regional services.
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Labor MPs have sought a guarantee that the airport rail link will alleviate gridlocked tracks in Melbourne’s west and improve services to growing suburbs and regional centres.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan briefed her party colleagues about the long-awaited project this week, as the state government nears a decision with the federal government on the final design of the link.
The state government is believed to prefer running airport trains through the $11 billion Metro Tunnel, which is due to open in 2025.
But the Herald Sun understands some Labor MPs from the western suburbs questioned Ms Allan about how that solution would boost capacity for services to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, as well as the booming growth corridor in Melbourne’s west.
Some are believed to be concerned that the extra space for services created by the Metro Tunnel will be quickly overtaken by soaring population increases.
Patronage has already soared along the city’s western growth corridor, with V/Line delays, cancellations and overcrowding on the rise.
The government is also considering a private sector proposal for the link which includes a new 6km tunnel from Southern Cross station through to West Footscray.
While MPs from the western suburbs are open to both options, they sought assurances from Ms Allan that the final project would pave the way for improved metro and regional services.
The government has maintained that all options being considered will allow for increased services to the western suburbs and enable the delivery of fast rail to the regions.
“We’re working closely with the Commonwealth Government on all options for airport rail — that will get people to and from the airport quickly with minimal interchanges,” a government spokeswoman said.
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“All options will deliver additional train services for Melbourne’s west.”
Councils, transport groups and business associations have been lobbying the government to build a new tunnel as part of the airport rail project to improve the broader rail system.
The state government is also spending $100 million on a detailed western rail plan to investigate ways to improve services in the area.
Transport bureaucrats are considering the merits of several options, with a second Metro Tunnel one idea floated through the planning process.