Article: Rail celebration today

[ozbob]

From the Ararat Advertiser click here!

Rail celebration today

Rail celebration today
10/07/2009 9:05:00 AM

ARARAT - Premier John Brumby will welcome passengers at the Ararat Station today to mark the five year anniversary of the return of passenger rail to the region.

Train passenger numbers between Ararat and Ballarat have soared by more than 50 per cent since the return of rail five years ago, according to Mr Brumby.

"More than 48,000 passengers have travelled on the V/Line service between Ararat and Ballarat in the last year, a 53 per cent increase since the first year passenger rail returned in 2004,'' Mr Brumby said.

"This brings the total passenger trips between Ballarat, Beaufort and Ararat to nearly 190,000 since the Victorian Government re-introduced passenger rail to the region.''

Mr Brumby said the people of Ararat, Beaufort and surrounding regions have voted with their feet on this service after it was closed in 1994 by the previous Kennett Government.

"This government made the investment to return rail to this region and five years on this investment has reaped many rewards,'' he said.

"Six trains run between Ararat and Melbourne each weekday, and eight trains run on weekends, giving people flexibility in recreational travel to the region, particularly with connecting road coaches to Stawell, Horsham, Ouyen, Halls Gap, and over the border to Adelaide.

"Train services between Ararat and Ballarat also offer quick and convenient connections to Ballarat University and TAFE colleges.''

Member for Ripon Joe Helper said buses ran for 10 years before trains returned with much fanfare.

"The return of trains in 2004 was a major event for Ararat and Beaufort with thousands of people gathering at the Ararat Station to welcome back the train,'' Mr Helper said.

"The trains provide a vital local service by better connecting people to surrounding towns and Melbourne, and the economic benefits of the rail service to the region are also significant.''

Mayor Cr Gwenda Allgood said the return of passenger rail to Ararat five years ago was tremendous for the city, both for passengers travelling from Ararat and surrounds to Ballarat and beyond and for those visiting Ararat to enjoy the tourist attractions.

""I've been speaking to people at the Ararat RSL and they tell me that people come up on the train, visit the tourist attractions, have lunch at the RSL or one of the cafes up the street and go back to Ballarat or Melbourne on the train - it's just wonderful for our tourist attractions and it's fabulous for our city,'' she said.

Cr Allgood said it is a service that must continue to be utilised by the public to ensure the future of the service.

"We have been told to use it or lose it, but it's obvious it's being used when you see the cars parked at the station every day,'' she said.

The increase in passenger numbers is also something which has surprised Cr Allgood.

"Who would have thought it would increase like that,'' she said.

"It just shows that if there's a good service, people will return and use it.

"The cost (of train travel) is less than driving and parking in Melbourne and you're saving the environment too.

"It's affordable for everyone, achievable and it's one of the best pieces of infrastructure the state government has provided for us.''

Mr Helper has issued an invitation to the people of Ararat to attend the celebrations this afternoon at the Ararat Station in High Street, which kick off at 2.15pm with a sausage sizzle.

[ButFli]

If only all State Governments were as smart as the one in Victoria. There is no reason that Queensland could not organise a V/Line style service to Beaudesert, Helidon or even Toowoomba if the range is ever soughted out. Better services to Cooroy and Gympie would be good, too.

[Arnz]

Any expansion of Queensland Regional rail services would be better off under QConnect, interchangable with the TransLink network under the same agreement with TransLink/AirTrain.