Ministerial Statement: ONE YEAR ON, CRAIGIEBURN TRAIN STABLING PROJECT ...

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3oth September 2008

ONE YEAR ON, CRAIGIEBURN TRAIN STABLING PROJECT MARKS NEXT MILESTONE

Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park commuters today celebrated the Craigieburn rail line?s first year as part of the metropolitan train network.

Acting Public Transport Minister Tim Pallas said the success of the Craigieburn electrification project was already apparent, as local train patronage continued to grow.

?Melbourne?s outer northern suburbs have grown significantly in the past few years. Validations at Craigieburn Station have tripled since the same time last year, with more than 31,000 people boarding at the station in July this year.

?By extending the rail line to Craigieburn, we are taking action to ensure this growing community has access to public transport across the metropolitan train network.?

Mr Pallas said investment was continuing in this region as construction now begins on the second stage of the Craigieburn train stabling project.

?The electrification to Craigieburn included stabling, or storage to accommodate new train services. The second stage of works will now include stabling to house an extra six trains, track and signal work, and a building for train drivers and maintenance staff,? Mr Pallas said.

The stabling project is a crucial step in the strategy to increase Melbourne?s train fleet, as more passenger trips are being taken on the rail network than ever before.

Mr Pallas said storing trains at the end of the line, such as at Craigieburn, allows for a more efficient network, and relieves pressure at the centre.

?This means services to the CBD are more reliable, and can allow for us to provide a more frequent service for Craigieburn line passengers in the future,? he said.

?The Brumby Government has invested in 18 new trains, which we will begin to see on the network from late 2009. We understand that we have to provide the essential infrastructure to get the very best out of our network.?

Member for Yuroke Liz Beattie MP said the first year of the Craigieburn electrification had been a tremendous success.

?As communities grow, it is vital the public transport infrastructure grows and provides a network that can carry them into the future,? Ms Beattie said.

?With train patronage growing significantly, it is important we make the right investment to get the most out of our rail infrastructure.?

Construction work is being carried out by Coleman Rail Pty Ltd, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.