Travel time frustrates passengers, business

By Callan Date
FRUSTRATED Bunyip and Garfield train commuters are enduring an extra 30 minutes of travel while work on the fast rail project takes place between the Bairnsdale and Pakenham stations.
Train users have been forced to board V/Linesupplied road coaches to get to Pakenham station, where they commence normal train travel to the city.
The added travel time is just one of the concerns that passengers are facing while the upgrades are being completed, with a lack of seats available to commuters once on the train another issue.
Bunyip newsagent Joe Greco said the situation was causing a great deal of inconvenience to public transport users, and local businesses were also suffering due to a loss of trade.
Bunyip newsagency is an authorised V/Line ticket seller and Mr Greco’s customers are voicing their concerns at the situation.
“Many Bunyip, Garfield, Nar Nar Goon and Tynong residents are voting with their feet and driving to Pakenham station, which is further stretching the available parking,” he said.
“The bus service is reliable and on time, but waiting six months for a train is far too long.”
Bunyip Ward councillor Bill Pearson is also worried about the inconvenience local residents are enduring while the works are being completed, and also the effect it is having on local businesses in the area.
“People move to this area thinking they can get a train into the city for work but they are now being forced to endure an extra 30 minutes of travel on their entire trip,” Cr Pearson said.
“And because people are driving to Pakenham station, the other towns are losing the general business they normally get from train users.”
V/Line customer relations manager Margot Dickie said the works were improving a number of features on the train line and were scheduled for completion in four months.
She said the installation of a modern, fully automatic signalling system was taking place as well as the upgrading of safety protection at several of the level crossings on the line.