Airport train plan should be grounded says MP

GIPPSLAND travellers heading to Melbourne Airport on public transport may have to catch at least two trains and a bus to reach their destination if a proposed timetable change is adopted.
South Gippsland MP Peter Ryan said he recently wrote to Transport Minister Lynne Kosky regarding possible changes to the Traralgon V/Line rail service and was surprised to discover plans to bypass Southern Cross Station.
He said Ms Kosky replied that as part of the rail network’s development, it was proposed to terminate the Traralgon line service at Flinders Street Station to provide additional peak capacity and assist in untangling the network.
“While it is recognised that a direct connection to Southern Cross Station is beneficial for some Traralgon line passengers, the congestion and unreliability this creates presents a significant penalty to the overall capacity of the railway network,” she said.
However, Mr Ryan said the change would complicate the journey of Gippsland travellers, especially those with luggage, and would also be inconvenient for others who worked or socialised near the station.
“It will be more difficult to access the airport now, they will have to change trains simply to get to Spencer Street – as we have always known it – and this will be particularly difficult for those who have luggage, are aged or infirm,” he said.
“Many people have contacted me since I let it be known what the government intends to do.
“The public has not been advised about this and Gippsland travellers should not be made to suffer from the lack of planning by the Transport Department.”
But Ms Kosky said the change would benefit all passengers on the rail network.
“The improvements provided by these operational changes will have network-wide benefits.
“By untangling operations in the inner core, Traralgon line passengers will experience improved reliability,” she said.