V/Line - articles discussion etc

[ozbob]

No wonder @VLine is crowded! AM peak patronage up 41% in five years. Up 103% on the Geelong line! Details in blog. https://t.co/7h1sUqP8Wa pic.twitter.com/IpMOF8L08D

— Daniel Bowen (@danielbowen) April 10, 2017

[Stillwater]

Imagine a V-Line type service in Queensland to places such as Beaudesert and Toowoomba, maybe even Maryborough?     It won't happen, of course, because this is Queensland and due to the very obvious and real constraints of a lack of drivers and train sets.

However, fast, effective transport services have breathed new life into towns across Victoria.  Such an operation here could serve government rhetoric about a decentralised state.  Many communities around Brisbane offer excellent lifestyle advantages.

Maybe it could be the subject of a glossy brochure and a fly-through before the next election - for all those outer metropolitan seats that the political parties want to win.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/better-trains-stations-and-buses-for-gippsland/

Better Trains, Stations And Buses For Gippsland

Minister for Public Transport 11 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is upgrading trains, stations and buses in Gippsland to get people home safer and sooner.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing in Traralgon today to announce three new carriages for Traralgon services and release the Labor Government's Gippsland Rail Corridor Station Upgrade Program to market.

The $9 million program will build 100 new car parks at Traralgon Station and 60 new spaces at Morwell to make it quicker and easier for local passengers to drive to the station and catch the train.

The four stations at Moe, Morwell, Traralgon and Trafalgar will be made more accessible for people with disabilities, with new ramps, upgraded toilets, tactile ground surface indicators and lowered ticket counters. Waiting areas will also upgraded at each station.

Trafalgar Station will get a new platform entrance, platform shelter, and bike hoops, and the bus bay will be upgraded to improve connections between trains and V/Line buses.

The bus bay and interchange at Moe Station will also be upgraded, and a new protection barrier will be installed on the edge of the car park parallel to the platform to protect it from cars leaving the roadway.

Minister Allan also announced today that three new carriages will be added to Gippsland services from this afternoon. The three carriages will add 222 seats to the 6:27am from Traralgon to Southern Cross Station, and the 4:58pm from Southern Cross to Traralgon – doubling space for passengers on these busy peak hour services.

These rail upgrades come just days after the start of the new Latrobe Valley bus network, which is delivering more frequent, direct and coordinated services to more places in Traralgon, Moe, Morwell and surrounding areas.

Work on the Gippsland Rail Corridor Station Upgrade Program is expected to be complete by early next year. For more information, visit www.victrack.com.au/gippslandcorridor.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"This multi-million program will make it quicker and easier get to the station and catch the train in Gippsland."

"It's part of our massive investment in better public transport in Gippsland and across regional Victoria."

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

"Gippsland rail users deserve more passenger seating, more car parking and better amenity at stations, and these upgrades and improvements will make rail travel noticeably more comfortable and convenient as patronage numbers grow."

"It's crucial that public transport investment is prioritised for our region, and I'm continuing to advocate for large-scale, long-term investment in rail to accommodate population growth and improve services."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> New push for a major spending boost for country rail

V/Line trains should return to Horsham and Hamilton within 10 years to help address "sub-standard" public transport services in the state's far west, according to an expert report on country rail.

The report said public transport services west of Ararat were little improved on 30 years ago, offered limited access to regional centres and provided inadequate connectivity.

A report has called for $369 million of spending on rail improvements for western Victoria.

The report also calls for extra passenger rail services between Melbourne and Ararat, substantial safety upgrades and better connecting of coach services to smaller towns.

The "Grampians and Barwon South West Region" passenger rail feasibility study was commissioned by eight local councils and prepared by transport consultants.

It calls for a $369 million investment in rail track upgrades, new trains and signalling, and a $6.1 million increase in annual operating spending.

The proposed project would vastly improve rail services, provide jobs, tackle isolation in small rural communities and lift tourism to attractions like the Grampians, it said.

The report applauded major state government investments in the state's west over the past 15 years such as the Regional Fast Rail project – which has been a boon for Ballarat – the Regional Rail Link project and the restoration of passenger services from Ballarat to Ararat in 2004, but it said much more needed to be done beyond Ararat.

The lack of public transport west of Ararat was particularly challenging for the elderly, those with mobility problems and young people in training or study, it warned.

Some older residents preferred to travel by "through train" to places like Ballarat or Melbourne for medical appointments, rather than using coaches or having to change trains during the journey.

"In the absence of such services we were told that some older residents preferred to remain untreated, while others relied on friends, family or volunteers. In some towns, such volunteer services are extremely stretched," the report said.

Horsham mayor Pam Clarke said it was "vital" her municipality got better rail services. While a train running from Adelaide to Melbourne stopped at Horsham a couple of times a week, it was "totally inadequate" and little used by locals.

"We need an adequate passenger rail service that goes at appropriate times that gets people to and from the city, whether it's Ballarat or Melbourne, safer and faster than road," she said.

"We service a population of 50,000 people in our region, Horsham is a regional centre for the Wimmera ... and it's amazing that we don't have passenger rail," she said.

Bill Russell, one of the report's authors, said there was "tremendous social need" in the wide region beyond Ararat for much better public transport.

"There's 22 trains from Ballarat to Melbourne every weekday, and 20 from Bendigo. But if you go beyond that to Ararat, it goes down to three trains a day, and if you go beyond Ararat to Horsham it's no trains a day," Dr Russell said.

"The investments in regional rail over the last 20 years have been fabulous, but so far they haven't penetrated into the more distant regional cities. And you could say that because of the tyranny of distance, in some respects it's the more distant ones that really need the speeding up and the improvement of their services," he said.

The study was commissioned by the Ararat, Glenelg, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack councils.

[ozbob]

.@theage Photograph by my Grandfather P G Dow c. 1955 at Ararat.
Dd class locomotive. More pass trains for western Vic!#springst pic.twitter.com/VeyLqLkBXv

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2017

[#Metro]

Perhaps another demonstration how public monopoly provision is incompatible with service standards enforcement... what's the consequence??... none really.

V/Line misses 22 months of targets
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4587919/vline-misses-22-months-of-targets/

V/Line failed to meet its punctuality target on the Bendigo line for the 22nd consecutive month in March, prompting a call for action from public transport users.

Less than 82 per cent of Bendigo line trains were on time last month, more than 10 percentage points below V/Line's target of 92 per cent and down from 83 per cent in February.

The organisation last met its punctuality target in May 2015, when 94.9 per cent of Bendigo trains ran on time.

Public Transport Users Association regional spokesman Paul Westcott said the figures were "not good enough", given any train that arrived within 5 minutes and 59 seconds of its schedule was considered "on time".

[ozbob]

HeraldSun --> Mobile phone signal technology on regional Victorian trains to be rolled out

NEW technology will finally be rolled out across regional train lines to stop passengers losing a mobile phone signal, almost 17 months after the project was announced.

All major mobile carriers — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone — have signed on to the $18 million project that should remove frustrating black spots.

The project will include Australian-first in-train technology to boost the signal from mobile phone towers.

The "reception repeaters" will be installed in VLocity trains, while 35 new mobile towers will also be built in a partnership between carriers and the Andrews government.

Small Business and Innovation Minister, Philip Dalidakis, said the "project is a massive win for commuters on our five busiest regional rail corridors".

"Regular commuters spend up to 20 hours per week on regional trains and we need to keep them connected so they can keep in touch with their loved ones and use their travel time productively," he said.

In November, 2015, the government said that contracts would be awarded and new mobile towers should be built by about mid-2016.

Now, passengers are being told they should see improvements by the end of the year, when the in-train technology is piloted, and the full benefits should be realised by the end of next year.

The embarrassing delay is being blamed on the complexity of getting all major carriers on board to ensure all commuters benefit from the project.

More than 15 million trips are taken on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon, and Seymour lines every year.

Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said she understood it was frustrating when commuters needed to do work or homework, or even "check the footy score", and the signal dropped out.

The type of technology to be used in Victoria trains to boost phone signals is used across more than 30 rail networks in Europe including Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/fixing-mobile-blackspots-on-states-busiest-vline-routes/

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade 19 April 2017

Fixing Mobile Blackspots On State's Busiest V/Line Routes

The Andrews Labor Government will fix mobile blackspots along the state's five busiest regional rail corridors by partnering with our largest mobile carriers – Telstra, Optus and Vodafone – in an Australian first project.

The $18 million Regional Rail Connectivity Project will significantly improve mobile coverage and connectivity for commuters along the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines – which see more than 15.5 million passenger trips annually.

Having three mobile carriers work together on this project is a major win for commuters – this means that customers on all three networks will see improved mobile coverage rather than just one carrier's customer base.

As part of the solution Victoria will be the first state in Australia to implement in-train technology used to boost the signal from mobile towers outside the rail carriage to devices used inside.

Work has already begun to pilot the installation of mobile reception repeaters in VLocity trains, which is designed to boost in-train coverage from less than 50 per cent to almost full network coverage. If successful, the repeaters will be rolled out on the entire VLocity fleet in 2018.

In-train technology is used in more than 30 rail networks across Europe including Germany, Italy and Switzerland to boost the mobile signal from towers inside train carriages.

Passengers will begin to experience improved mobile coverage from the end of this year, with the construction of up to 35 new mobile towers commencing after the pilot process and set to be completed in 2018.

The Regional Rail Connectivity Project is expected to boost productivity for regional business commuters, delivering an estimated $20 million per annum to the Victorian economy.

Quote attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

"This Australian-first project is a massive win for commuters on our five busiest regional rail corridors – no matter which network they use, they will see improvements."

"Regular commuters spend up to 20 hours per week on regional trains and we need to keep them connected so they can keep in touch with their loved ones and use their travel time productively."

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

"I know how frustrating it is when you can't get signal from the train and you have work or homework to do, want to send a message to a loved one or check the footy score. That's why we're getting this fixed."

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan

"This is another step in the better regional train system we're building – connecting passengers across Victoria to work, education and each other."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> One new train a month not enough to stem V/Line's runaway crowding woes

Kathryn Bordonaro has begun to play a game with her fellow commuters on the station platform in the morning.

As the V/Line train to Melbourne pulls in, she jockeys for the perfect spot so she can be first through the door.

It's the only way she can be sure to get a seat and avoid having to stand in the aisle all the way to the city.

"You're in this country town and most people nod politely at each other on the platform," says Ms Bordonaro, a finance broker and member of the advisory council to Victoria's small business minister.

"But there's this 30 seconds where everybody turns it into an Olympic event of who is getting in that door first and who is getting their seat."

It's not hard to understand why Ms Bordonaro and her fellow commuters are so anxious to secure a seat.

They live in Warragul in west Gippsland, an hour and a half by train from central Melbourne. It's a long time to stand on a moving train.

Victoria's regional rail operator V/Line has an overcrowding problem, and the statistics show it is not going away, even as it adds 16 extra three-carriage trains to its fleet.

James Pinder, V/Line's CEO, admitted in state parliament on Thursday that as quickly as its manufacturer Bombardier builds a new VLocity train, new passengers fill it.

"We're adding one train a month, one train every six weeks to our fleet, but that capacity gets absorbed very quickly," Mr Pinder said.

V/Line publishes new figures each month that show which of its peak-hour services are at 100 per cent capacity or more. March's numbers reveal standing room-only has become the new normal for many commuters.

On the Geelong line, V/Line's busiest, 12 of 16 morning peak trains are more than 100 per cent full well before they reach Southern Cross Station.

This includes the first train of the day, the 4.32am from Waurn Ponds, which is standing room only by the time it departs Tarneit station in Melbourne's outer west at 5.19am.

The figure is similar in the evening, when nine of 13 trains that depart Southern Cross Station between 4pm and 6pm are overloaded.

Passengers on the Ballarat line, V/Line's next busiest, fare little better.

Seven of 13 morning peak trains are at 100 per cent capacity, sometimes from as far afield as Bacchus Marsh, and seven of 11 afternoon peak trains are standing room only.

The Gippsland line has four trains that reach Melbourne before 9am, two of which were at 100 per cent capacity last month, and three trains that depart Melbourne for Traralgon between 4pm and 6pm, two of which were standing room only for much of the journey.

The Andrews government allocated three new carriages to two peak-hour Gippsland services this month to address the problem.

Crowding on Bendigo and Seymour line trains is less problematic, V/Line figures show.

At the parliamentary inquiry, Mr Pinder suggested crowded carriages were less a growth phase than a permanent change in character from regional to commuter belt service for V/Line's busiest lines.

"Standing on V/Line trains is not something that Victorians are used to," he said.

"Our railway and our region and our state is changing. More and more people are coming to live in Victoria, our network is carrying more and more people and we are on a transformational journey.

"Do we like the fact that on some of our trains on some stations within that corridor, people have to stand for 20 minutes? No, but ... we are in some ways victims of our own success."

Jeroen Weimar, Public Transport Victoria's chief executive, told the inquiry regional rail patronage was growing faster than any other mode in the state, including trams and metropolitan trains.

"We are seeing a level of ridership on the network that we really have not seen before," Mr Weimar said.

Meanwhile, Ms Bordonaro has taken to heading across the CBD to Southern Cross Station for a Gippsland-bound train in the evening, to ensure she gets a seat and doesn't have to stand all the way to Pakenham. Sometimes all seats are occupied before the train reaches Flinders Street Station.

Having to stand all the way to Gippsland means much more than tired feet, she says. It is a drain on productivity and even quality of life.

"There's this idyllic dream that is sold to a lot of people; move to a regional area and you could commute in an hour and work or read while you travel, but it's really hard to work on your laptop if you're standing."

[ozbob]

Funding for improvements to V-Line passenger services in Gippsland is expected to be announced in the state budgethttps://t.co/r6uILAHLEL pic.twitter.com/ksgrx4k4bI

— ABC News Melbourne (@abcnewsMelb) April 27, 2017

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> $1.4 billion regional rail revival in state budget

Regional train lines will get a $1.45 billion funding boost as the Andrews government moves to shore up its support across country Victoria ahead of next year's state election.

With suburban level crossing removals and the Melbourne Metro Rail Project firmly underway, regional transport will be a centrepiece of Tuesday's state budget – and every rail line will benefit from a revamp.

The long-awaited cash splash will be unveiled by Premier Daniel Andrews and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on Sunday. It includes:

    A $435 million upgrade on the the Gippsland Line, which the government says will improve the reliability of services and create more than 400 jobs, with a project office in the Latrobe Valley.
    More than $200 million for major upgrades in the Barwon South West region, including $100 million to allow the Warrnambool line to run more services.
    A $110 million investment into the first stage of a new Surf Coast Rail Project, paving the way for the duplication of tracks between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds and a future line to Torquay.
    $91 million to run faster and more reliable trains for passengers in Bendigo and Echuca.
    $39 million for stage 2 of the Ballarat Line Upgrade, to improve services in Ararat and Maryborough.


"This is the next stage of our regional rail revival – because regional Victorians deserve public transport they can count on," Mr Andrews said.

The $1.45 billion investment will be funded under the federal government's asset recycling scheme, which gives the states 15 per cent bonuses for selling private assets – in Victoria's case, the Port of Melbourne.

But in order for the projects to proceed as planned, the Commonwealth must give Victoria its full entitlement or pave the way for yet another state-federal stoush.

A war of words initially erupted last year over how much Victoria was owed, but state insiders say it would be difficult for the federal government not to back the regional plan given state and federal Coalition MPs – including Sarah Henderson (Corangamite) and Dan Tehan (Wannon) – have been calling on Labor to improve country services for weeks.

Tuesday's budget is likely to be leaner than previous years, but with an ongoing focus on Labor's core priorities: education, health, transport and jobs. However, "savings" across the public service are also expected, along with a number of new revenue-raising measures and tax changes.

Some details emerged on Saturday, when Treasurer Tim Pallas announced that from July 1, property transfers between spouses and de facto partners will no longer be exempt from stamp duty (not including the principle place of residence or a transfer in the aftermath of a relationship breakdown).

Also from July, new passenger vehicles will start being charged the same duty rates as used passenger vehicles, rising from $6.40 per $200 of the market value to $8.40 per $200. New cars will therefore become more expensive: for instance, the stamp duty on a Toyota Corolla valued at $23,500 will increase by about $230.

And from 2019, property valuations will occur annually – a move the opposition says will ensure rates and land tax rates will rise every 12 months.

Liberal spokesman Michael O'Brien accused Mr Andrews of breaking his pre-election promise not to increase or introduce any new taxes, and warned that the changes would add to cost of living pressures already felt by families.

"Under Daniel Andrews the only thing rising faster than the crime rate is the tax rate," he said.

But Treasurer Tim Pallas disagreed, saying: "These changes are fair and equitable and will help ensure the government continues to deliver the roads, schools, and services that matter to Victorians."

[ozbob]

On the train to Warragul to announce $1.4 billion Regional Rail Revival package, including $435m for Gippsland Line pic.twitter.com/kUNryDvtm0

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) April 29, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-unveils-massive-gippsland-line-upgrade/

Labor Government Unveils Massive Gippsland Line Upgrade

Premier 30 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a massive upgrade of the Gippsland line, to run more trains, more often to Victoria's East, as part of its $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package unveiled today.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing at Warragul Station today to announce the $435 million Gippsland Line Upgrade, as part of the Regional Rail Revival package in the Victorian Budget 2017/18.

The upgrade will build new track, stations and stabling to provide more frequent, safe and reliable services to Gippsland, enabling trains every 40 minutes during the day, at night and on the weekend.

Train detection systems at 20 level crossings along the corridor will be upgraded to boost safety for motorists, passengers and local communities.

The project will duplicate the notorious section of single track between Bunyip and Longwarry, and build second platforms at both stations to cater for the new dual track.

Duplicated track will also be extended near Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, and a second platform will be built at Morwell Station.

At Traralgon, a second platform will be built at the station, signalling will be upgraded and the train depot will be relocated to a larger site to stable more trains and support more services.

This huge investment on the Gippsland Line will create more than 400 jobs, with a dedicated project office in the Latrobe Valley.

Regional Rail Revival also includes an additional $95 million for Stage 2 of the Gippsland Rail Upgrade, which will duplicate the Avon River Bridge, enabling faster, more reliable services to Bairnsdale.

The full Regional Rail Revival package will be funded in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 on receipt of Victoria's $1.46 billion entitlement under the Asset Recycling Initiative.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"This project will deliver a rail line people in Gippsland can rely on, and create hundreds of local jobs."

"After years of excuses and neglect from the Liberals and Nationals, we're building a better Gippsland line – and work starts now."

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

"This is the biggest investment in the Gippsland line for a generation and at long last it is being delivered by a Labor Government as part of our ongoing commitment to this region."

"These upgrades, improvements and duplications will better connect our communities, improve services, increase safety and reliability, and drive local jobs for years to come."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/1-45-billion-to-continue-labor-regional-rail-revival/

$1.45 Billion To Continue Labor Regional Rail Revival

Premier 30 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a massive package of regional rail upgrades that will improve services and create more than 1,000 jobs across Victoria.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced that the Victorian Budget 2017/18 would include a $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package of upgrades on every regional line across Victoria.

The upgrades are the next stage of the biggest ever investment in regional rail – with the Labor Government now having committed more than $2.8 billion to improve regional rail services.

The centrepiece of the package is a $435 million upgrade of the Gippsland Line to run more frequent, safe and reliable services and create more than 400 jobs, with a project office in the Latrobe Valley. 

More than $200 million will go towards major upgrades in the Barwon South West region – including $100 million to upgrade the Warrnambool line to run more services.

$110 million will fund the first stage of a massive new Surf Coast Rail Project, which will prepare the corridor for duplication between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, and reserve land for a future line to Torquay.

Passengers in Bendigo and Echuca will also benefit, with $91 million in upgrades to run faster trains, an extra daily service to Echuca, and delivery of Bendigo Metro Stage 2 with more services to Epsom and Eaglehawk.

In addition to the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade announced in last year's Budget, the package will provide $39 million for Stage 2 of the project, to deliver better services for Ararat and Maryborough.

The Regional Rail Revival package also funds the signalling and station improvements needed to run new trains on the North East Line, while the Labor Government continues to lobby the Commonwealth to fix the track they are responsible for through the Inland Rail project.

$95 million will be invested in Stage 2 of the Gippsland Rail Upgrade which will duplicate the Avon River Bridge, enabling faster, more reliable services to Bairnsdale.

The full Regional Rail Revival package, which includes the Ballarat Line Upgrade, is to be funded from the receipt of Victoria's $1.46 billion entitlement under the Asset Recycling Initiative.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"This is the next stage of our regional rail revival – because regional Victorians deserve public transport they can count on."

"This huge investment will improve services on every regional passenger line in Victoria, and create more than a thousand jobs across Victoria."

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Regional Rail Revival will deliver better tracks, more services and a brighter future for the rail network regional Victorians rely on."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/huge-upgrade-to-boost-services-for-bendigo-and-echuca/

Huge Upgrade To Boost Services For Bendigo And Echuca

Minister for Public Transport 30 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a massive upgrade of the Bendigo to Echuca line to run more trains, more often.

The works are part of a $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package unveiled today, which will deliver major upgrades to every regional passenger line in the state and create more than 1,000 jobs.

$91 million from the Regional Rail Revival package will upgrade track and signalling between Bendigo and Echuca.

Track speed upgrades will enable trains on the Echuca line to run faster and more often, cutting travel times for passengers from Victoria's north.

The upgrade will also allow more trains to run to Epsom and Eaglehawk, as required for the second stage of Bendigo Metro.

Last year the Labor Government added extra peak hour services for Bendigo and implemented Bendigo Metro Stage 1, adding 10 weekday services to Epsom Station, an extra evening service to Eaglehawk and more services to Kangaroo Flat during the week.

Bendigo Metro Stage 2 will extend more Bendigo services to Epsom, giving local passengers extra services and more choice.

The Labor Government has also delivered a bigger, better bus network and announced that late night coach services to Bendigo on the weekend as part of Night Network will be made permanent.

The full Regional Rail Revival package, including the $91 million upgrade for Bendigo and Echuca, will be funded from the receipt of Victoria's $1.46 billion entitlement under the Asset Recycling Initiative.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport and Member for Bendigo Jacinta Allan

"This huge investment will upgrade track and signalling to run faster trains to Echuca and more services in and around Bendigo."

"It's the next step in the dedicated train system we're building for Bendigo, and our revival of rail in Victoria's north and across the state. We're getting on with it."

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

"This is the next step in our record investment in public transport, to get people in Bendigo and across Victoria home safer and sooner."

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

"Labor is the only party that listens, acts and invests when it comes to country rail, and this funding will make a real difference to travel times and reliability on the Echuca line."

[ozbob]

It's an upgrade on every major regional train line.

It's $1.45 billion worth of work.

It's 1000 new jobs.

It's the Regional Rail Revival. pic.twitter.com/WLcHCxi7jX

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 30, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/regionalrailrevival/



Regional Rail Revival

30 April 2017

The Victorian Government believes in public transport in regional Victoria.

Regional Fast Rail and Regional Rail Link connected Victoria's regional centres with 21st-century transport technology, laying the foundations for major economic growth.

Since 2015, the Victorian Government has invested $1.3 billion in regional rail, including the $440 million Murray Basin Rail Project and the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade.

Over the past two years, 432 new passenger services have been added across the regional network.

The Victorian Government is investing  $435 million to upgrade the Gippsland line which will deliver critical enabling works for more frequent and reliable services.

Planning for further improvements

Plans to deliver  further improvements to regional Victoria's rail network.

Warrnambool Line Upgrade

Delivering extra services, shorter journey times, and paving the way to run VLocity trains to Warrnambool.

Includes:

    a crossing loop from Boorcan to Weerite
    signalling upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool.

Surf Coast Rail Upgrade

Developing the Armstrong Creek and Torquay transit corridor, and paving the way for Waurn Ponds track duplication.

Includes:

    a second platform and pedestrian crossing at Waurn Ponds
    Torquay and Armstrong Creek Transit Corridor reservation
    development funding for future stages.

Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade

Delivering extra services and shorter journey times for Bendigo and Echuca lines.

Includes:

    signalling upgrades from Bendigo to Epsom and Eaglehawk
    track speed upgrades between Bendigo and Echuca.

Ballarat Line Upgrade Stage 2

Delivering an extra service to Ararat, improving freight movements and paving the way for future additional passenger services.

Includes:

    Ararat stabling
    signalling upgrades and track works for improved passenger and freight movements around Ballarat.

North-East Line Improvements

Delivering station upgrades  to support the growing suburbs of Donnybrook and Wallan, and preparing the corridor for new trains

Includes:

    design work and enabling infrastructure for standard gauge VLocity
    station improvements at Donnybrook and Wallan

Avon River Bridge Upgrade

Removing temporary speed restrictions on the Gippsland line and paving the way for running future additional services.

    upgrade the Avon River Bridge



Publications

    Regional Rail Revival fact sheet (PDF 1179.57 KB)
    Regional Rail Revival map (PDF 306 KB)

[ozbob]

Meanwhile in banana-land ' You are a pr%%k Mal! '

[ozbob]

The Victorian government is set to splurge $1.4bn on regional rail upgrades and a new Surf Coast line in the Budget https://t.co/EpBkpW9NO2 pic.twitter.com/rTAZKWCJUQ

— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) April 30, 2017

[Arnz]

I would add another "Meanwhile in Queensland" joke but there seems to be too many of them going around atm.   

[ozbob]

State govt says it needs the backing of the Turnbull govt, as it announced a $1.45 billion plan to upgrade Victoria's regional rail. #7News pic.twitter.com/5C9al15leC

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 30, 2017

[Stillwater]

In regional Queensland, the state government has got road-rail integration sorted already ... trains share the road with cars in Rockhampton. 

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/pressure-mounts-on-turnbull-to-back-regional-rail-revival/

Pressure Mounts On Turnbull To Back Regional Rail Revival

Minister for Public Transport 1 May 2017

Pressure is mounting on the Turnbull Government to give Victoria the money it's owed to upgrade regional rail lines across the state.

Yesterday the Andrews Labor Government unveiled its $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package, which will deliver better regional train services, and create more than 1,000 jobs.

The package includes a $435 million upgrade of the Gippsland Line, $110 million for a new Surf Coast Rail Project, $100 million for the Warrnambool line, and major upgrades to other regional lines across Victoria.

These projects are funded and ready to go, as soon as Victoria receives the $1.46 billion it's owed under the agreement with the Federal Government on Asset Recycling.

This is not the Turnbull Government's money – it is money owed to Victoria for Victorian projects.

Councils and peak bodies have thrown their support behind the Regional Rail Revival package, and regional Turnbull Government MPs have been campaigning for projects in it – yet Malcolm Turnbull is denying Victoria the money that would deliver these improvements.

In fact, the Turnbull Government is dudding Victorians by $6.6 billion, and hasn't invested a single dollar to build better public transport in Victoria since it came to office.

The Labor Government expects Malcolm Turnbull to back the Regional Rail Revival and address this huge funding shortfall in the upcoming Federal Budget.

With regional Victoria growing and patronage on the V/Line network at record highs, it's time for the Turnbull Government to stop dithering, keep his promises and give Victoria its money.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"This is our money and we will spend it on better regional rail across Victoria."

"The Sydney-centric Turnbull Government hasn't given Victoria a single cent to build better public transport."

"It's time for Malcolm Turnbull to stop stalling, and let us get on with our Regional Rail Revival."

[HappyTrainGuy]

In regional Queensland, the state government has got road-rail integration sorted already ... trains share the road with cars in Rockhampton. 

Originally it was cars sharing the train tracks as it used to be a double line - not the single line that it is now.

Anyway its a part of local history. Kids used to race the trains on the hill. Locals knew to avoid trains as it was a rail town. Its not like the americans who have bells and whistles blowing constantly at walking pace. 

[Stillwater]

Thanks for the additional info HTG.  Looking at the Victorian Government media release, that state does the feds blackmail thing much better than Queensland.  Less SHOW US THE MONEY screaming, more subtle shaming.

[Otto]

Thanks for the Vid HTG..
Found one with the double track !

[HappyTrainGuy]

Thanks for the Vid HTG..
Found one with the double track !

Hahahahahaha. The very first clip has a kid racing a locomotive on his push bike! Ahh that video brings back memories. So many different types of trains.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Why $1.45 billion for Victorian regional rail is a good bet

Daniel Andrews is verballing the feds. And he should.

On one measure Victoria is getting just 70¢ in every $10 of federal infrastructure money, on another measure 90¢.

Yet it accounts for one-quarter of Australia's population, and more than a third of its population growth.

So stark has the inequity in the distribution of Commonwealth infrastructure funds become that it's starting to benefit Victoria when the Grants Commission divides up revenue from the Goods and Services Tax. The formula compensates states for discrimination, with a lag. So long has the distribution been going on (ever since the election of the Abbott government in 2013) that some of the compensation has begun to flow, as the state budget will confirm on Tuesday.

The Commonwealth says it's prepared to give Victoria money so long as it's for the East West Link, a project Victorians rejected when they elected Daniel Andrews in 2014. They talked about part-funding the Melbourne Metro on the condition that they could override Victoria on aspects of its design. And they said Victoria would get an "asset recycling" grant of $1.45 billion when it sold the lease on the Port of Melbourne for $9.7 billion, only to appear to renege on a technicality.

Politically, there's a standoff. Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester has derided Andrews plans to spend the $1.45 billion on regional rail as a "Santa wish list".

Yet it accounts for one-quarter of Australia's population, and more than a third of its population growth.

So stark has the inequity in the distribution of Commonwealth infrastructure funds become that it's starting to benefit Victoria when the Grants Commission divides up revenue from the Goods and Services Tax. The formula compensates states for discrimination, with a lag. So long has the distribution been going on (ever since the election of the Abbott government in 2013) that some of the compensation has begun to flow, as the state budget will confirm on Tuesday.

The Commonwealth says it's prepared to give Victoria money so long as it's for the East West Link, a project Victorians rejected when they elected Daniel Andrews in 2014. They talked about part-funding the Melbourne Metro on the condition that they could override Victoria on aspects of its design. And they said Victoria would get an "asset recycling" grant of $1.45 billion when it sold the lease on the Port of Melbourne for $9.7 billion, only to appear to renege on a technicality.

Politically, there's a standoff. Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester has derided Andrews plans to spend the $1.45 billion on regional rail as a "Santa wish list".

Peter Martin is economics editor of The Age.

[#Metro]

Victoria does regional rail really well. QLD and NSW have a long way to go.

[ozbob]

Sure do.  I am #FleeQLD again late June.  Might go to Geelong & Ballarat.  Ballarat is magic in winter, sometimes even snows.

[ozbob]

Colac Herald --> $100M upgrade for Colac rail line

Colac's Brian Crook has campaigned for trains for years and he says the community will be the "big winner" from a $100-million upgrade of the Geelong-Warrnambool line, included in tomorrow's state budget.

Colac train campaigner Brian Crook is ecstatic the State Government will allocate $100 million to upgrade the Geelong-to-Warrnambool rail line to allow more train services for Colac district travellers.

But Mr Crook has also urged the state and federal governments to work together to ensure funding is secured so the upgrade can go ahead because a better train service for the Colac region "is far too important for political games".

The State Government announced yesterday it would include $100 million in tomorrow's budget for "upgrades on the Warrnambool line to run more services", as part of a $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package.

The budget announcement also included $110 million to fund the first stage of a new Surf Coast Rail project which will prepare the corridor between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds for a line duplication, expected to help reduce delays on the Warrnambool line, and reserve land for a future line to Torquay.

Premier Dan Andrews said the government would fund the package with "Victoria's $1.46 billion entitlement under the Asset Recycling Initiative", which follows the sale of the Port of Melbourne.

But the State Government will need the Federal Government to agree to the "entitlement".

Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson, who has been calling for more state and federal regional rail investment, says the announcement is "a wish list" and not fully funded.

"I am calling on the State Government to guarantee that all the money announced for our rail line will be in the state budget on Tuesday," Ms Henderson said yesterday.

"The Federal Government also needs to understand the detail of the state's plan for our region.

"Where are the details, where is the plan, where is the business case?"

But Mr Crook, a former Colac Otway Shire councillor who has campaigned for better train services for Colac for more than six years, said the state announcement was "fantastic news".

"Credit to the Andrews government and Minister for Transport, Jacinta Allan who conducted a state-wide consultation to get feedback on what was needed to address rural public transport, especially our train services.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-services-heap-further-pressure-on-turnbull-to-pay-up/

New Services Heap Further Pressure On Turnbull To Pay Up

Premier 9 May 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will deliver more than 140 new regional train services in August, heaping further pressure on the Turnbull Government to give Victoria the money it's owed in tonight's Federal Budget.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan at Southern Cross Station today to announce a new timetable that will deliver 142 extra services every week across the V/Line network.

When the new services start on 27 August, the Labor Government will have added more than 500 new regional train services in two years.

The new timetable will add 69 services for Geelong – Victoria's busiest regional rail corridor – including 30 new services every weekend – meaning trains at least every 40 minutes between 7:00am-7:00pm every day.

The next busiest V/Line corridors – Bendigo and Ballarat – will each get 18 extra weekly services, as will Gippsland where the Labor Government has announced a $435 million upgrade to add even more services in the future.

The Ararat line will get 10 extra weekday services and four additional trains will run between Melbourne and Shepparton on the weekend, building on the $43.5 million upgrade announced last week.

The announcement adds to mounting pressure Malcolm Turnbull and Federal Coalition MPs across Victoria to finally give Victoria the $1.46 billion it is owed under the Asset Recycling Initiative, which will deliver the Regional Rail Revival, upgrading every regional passenger line in Victoria.

Victorians are tired of being short changed by the Turnbull Government on national infrastructure funding, particularly regional Victorians, even though the Federal Infrastructure Minister, Darren Chester, is meant to represent the state's east.

The Labor Government is doing its bit, building the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel, removing level crossings and delivering new services across Victoria.

Last week's Victorian Budget 2017/18 continued the Labor Government's record investment in regional transport, including $311.1 million for 39 new regional carriages and $316.4 million for major V/Line maintenance.

But we can't keep doing all the heavy lifting alone – it's time for Malcolm Turnbull to give Victoria its fair share.

The new regional timetable will be available in July from ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"These extra services will reduce waiting, reduce crowding and get regional passengers home safer and sooner."

"The time for talk is over – let's work together to deliver better rail for regional Victoria."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We've added more regional services than any Government in Victoria's history, but we can't keep doing it alone."

"Today is D-Day for Malcolm Turnbull, Darren Chester and every Federal Coalition MP who purports to represent Victoria. Give us our money, so we can get on and build better regional rail for Victoria."

[ozbob]

142 new regional services will start in August, on top of the 400+ we've already added. Time for Malcolm to pay up so we can add even more. pic.twitter.com/f3JwuSyLq5

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) May 8, 2017

[ozbob]

Every day, every way, Queensland looks that much more of an under-achiever ...

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-unveils-even-more-services-for-ararat/

Labor Government Unveils Even More Services For Ararat

Minister for Public Transport 9 June 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will add a further nine new train services every week for the Ararat line, on top of the 10 announced last month.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced that 19 new weekday and weekend services will start running on the Ararat line in August – reducing waiting and providing more choice to for local passengers.

The nine extra services include the extension of an existing weekday afternoon Ballarat service to start in Ararat, and four new weekend services.

On Saturdays and Sundays, a new late morning service will run from Ararat to Ballarat, and an early afternoon service from Melbourne to Ballarat will be extended to Ararat.

Late morning services on weekends will give locals the opportunity to travel to Melbourne for footy games and other events by train, while the new afternoon service allows people to get back to Ararat earlier in the day.

The extra services announced last month included a weekday morning service departing from Ararat Station and connecting with a Melbourne bound train at Ballarat, and a weekday afternoon service departing Southern Cross, extended to Ararat.

The new V/Line timetable that will start in August will add 151 extra across regional Victoria, on top of the 80 new services that started in January – taking the total number of new V/Line services added by the Labor Government to more than 500.

The extra services will create room for thousands of  extra passengers across the regional network and would be further boosted by the Regional Rail Revival package announced last month.

The new services will start in August and timetables will be available for download from ptv.vic.gov.au in July.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're running more trains so people spend less time waiting for a train, and more time with family and friends."

"These extra services will reduce waiting and give local passengers more choice about when they travel, and how they get home."

Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford

"This is a huge win for passengers in Ararat, with 19 extra services for Ararat every single week."

"We're continuing our record investment in public transport, to get people in Ararat  to work, education and each other, and get them home safer and sooner to the people they love."

[Cazza]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I'm hearing, Labor down in Vic is really pushing rail travel along. If only the QLD gov. were taking notes...

[ozbob]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I'm hearing, Labor down in Vic is really pushing rail travel along. If only the QLD gov. were taking notes...

You are correct! 

[Cazza]

Yes! 10 points to me

[ozbob]

Victoria and VLine are going places.

It is amazing the amount of improvement that is going on around the suburban network and further out.

While we have been humming and harring about CRR here in banana-land Victoria has built the Regional Rail Link (with billions of $$ of Fed money too), rolled out new trains for suburban and V/Line, rolled out more trams - Es and E2s,  done some amazing level crossing removals eg. Darling (tram/train/road crossing), McKinnon, Ormond, Bentleigh, St Albans, plenty more underway and completed.
All new trains constructed mainly in Victoria too.  The latest high capacity trains will be partly built overseas and finished in Victoria.

Metro rail tunnel construction underway. 

Queensland has had just service reductions in the main.

[Cazza]

Compare the pair here:
https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/