Trackless trams, light rail, trains: federal government vows to fund Rowville’s public transport solution

Trackless trams are among a raft of public transport solutions to connect Caulfield Station, Monash University and Rowville.

The Commonwealth has previously committed $475m for a heavy rail solution. Picture: Andrew Henshaw.

A new desperately-needed public transport connection out to Rowville has moved closer after the federal government committed new funding for a solution.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher will announce $6 million for a business case looking into the best project to connect Caulfield Station, Chadstone, Monash University and Rowville.

The Commonwealth has previously committed $475 million for a heavy rail solution and this remains on the table of the state and federal government’s agree to build such a rail line.

But local councils, Vicinity Centres and the university have been pushing to consider a rapid transit system that uses its own lanes and is as fast as railway, with the $6 million in new funding to assess this proposal among others.

The proposed trackless tram route from Chadstone Station

Some have dubbed the rapid transit option a “trackless tram” because it uses a larger, wider vehicle with electric wires overhead but runs without rails.

Mr Fletcher said the project would examine multiple options include trackless tram, bus improvements and light rail for Melbourne’s southeast.

“The business case will examine transport solutions, including an option for a trackless rapid transit proposal, in the corridor extending from Caulfield station in Melbourne’s south east to the suburb of Rowville via the Monash precinct,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The Morrison Government is committed to funding the delivery of transport projects that create jobs, reduce travel times for commuters and freight, and improve congestion on local roads.”

The Commonwealth has previously committed $475m for a heavy rail solution. Picture: Andrew Henshaw.

Higgins MP Dr Katie Allen, said the business case would look at options to improve the public transport network.

“This is an important step in planning southeast Melbourne’s integrated transport future, with the suburbs surrounding the Monash precinct having grown significantly in the past 40 years,” she said.

“This is ultimately about removing growth constraints for the education precinct around Monash University’s Clayton Campus, which is a key employment hub, as well as the broader growth region through to Rowville.”