More trains to ease Cranbourne commuter pain

Commuters on Melbourne’s busiest and delay-plagued railway line are set for a reprieve with extra train services to kick off a year earlier than planned.

A long-awaited second rail track between Cranbourne and Dandenong will be complete a year early, delivering trains every 10 minutes for the morning peak.

Eight kilometres of new, duplicated track will be operational from early next year, along with the new Merinda Park station – originally due for completion in 2023.

More trains will run during the morning peak from Cranbourne, Lynbrook and Merinda Park stations, and additional services will be brought online for the commute home.

It would mean that trains, which previously terminate in Dandenong, will now travel through to Cranbourne.

It’s anticipated that would lead to a reduction in cancellations and delays, with train drivers no longer required to wait for the single track to be clear on oncoming trains.

The track duplication forms part of the wider $1bn Cranbourne Line upgrade, which includes the removal of four level crossings including at Greens Road in Dandenong South.

The launch date of the new services will be confirmed after a one-week line closure later this month. Buses will replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines from 1am on Saturday November 20 until the last service on Thursday November 25.

Premier Daniel Andrews said removing every level crossing on the busy Cranbourne and Pakenham lines would change how locals live, work and travel.

“We promised to get on with the massive billion-dollar Cranbourne Line upgrade and deliver more trains and more often, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan added: “We’re excited to see the Cranbourne Line upgrade progressing so well and I look forward to introducing new services for passengers as early as next year as a result of this crucial project.”