Article: Trains to stay packed

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Trains to stay packed

Trains to stay packed
Article from: Herald Sun

Ashley Gardiner

April 07, 2008 12:00am

THE State Government has been issued its most dire warning yet about the plight of commuters on Melbourne's overcrowded train system.

In a blunt assessment, the Department of Infrastructure has concluded the system simply will not cope with expected rising patronage.

The report, completed last month, paints a grim picture of the rail network over the next decade.

Short-term measures to boost capacity, such as cheap off-peak travel, timetable adjustments and new trains, will provide brief respite at best.

"New initiatives may well not keep pace with growing demand," the report said.

The report notes train patronage has grown by 30 per cent in the past three years.

"Continuation of the recent growth pattern would see a doubling in patronage within the next 10 years," it said.

The department predicts those short-term initiatives will allow reliable services on the Belgrave, Epping, Glen Waverley, Hurstbridge and Lilydale lines.

It was expected new high-capacity trains would be introduced from 2013, either double-deckers or single-deck trains with fewer seats, would help boost capacity, eventually by 25 per cent.

"However, the rate of growth on (other lines) is expected to outstrip the available capacity much sooner," it said.

Substantial overcrowding will begin from 2012 on the Craigieburn, Sydenham and Werribee lines.

From 2016 overcrowding will occur on the Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham lines. The problem will worsen if more freight is sent along those lines.

"The significant spare capacity that was available in 2000 has been totally absorbed," the report said.

Despite the warning of substantial overcrowding, all but three of Melbourne's rail lines are already officially overcrowded.

Only trains on the Alamein and Upfield lines, and those from Ringwood, do not breach loading standards.

"Average train loads in excess of 1000 passengers . . . often lead to situations where passengers cannot physically board," the report said.

"This is a regular occurrence at city loop stations."

In the report, the department makes an assessment of three major projects to solve the rail capacity crisis.

The department favors the Caulfield-Footscray rail tunnel, as proposed by Sir Rod Eddington's report, released last week.

But this huge project could take nine years to complete, well after the rail system hits the crisis points identified by the department.

Premier John Brumby has refused to comment on Sir Rod's report, which recommended $18 billion of projects.

Instead, the State Government has invited public comment on his recommendations until July 15.

The Government will announce its decision on the major rail tunnel, and other projects including the east-west road link, later this year.