VICTORIAN Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan has pledged an extra $100 million to complete the planning to make fast rail to Ballarat and Geelong a reality.<\/p>\n
Standing on Ballarat Station\u2019s platform two, Ms Allan said the government had already started work to deliver fast regional rail with $50 million in the Victorian Budget 2018\/19 but she also said there\u2019s more to do.<\/p>\n
Ms Allan said as Ballarat continues to boom the rail network needs more than just an upgrade, it needs re-drawing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve added extra services, made\u00a0 country crossings safer and we\u2019re getting on with the Ballarat Line Upgrade and we\u2019ll now plan for our next big build for Ballarat,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The new Western Rail Plan includes scheduling for the full separation of regional and metro services on the Ballarat and Geelong lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first step in delivering fast rail to these cities \u2013 meaning fewer stops, faster trips and less crowded trains,\u201d said Ms Allan.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat welcomed the announcement that a re-elected State Government will deliver fast rail to Ballarat as part of a major overhaul of the rail network.<\/p>\n
Ballarat Mayor, Councillor Samantha McIntosh said Ballarat\u2019s continued growth and the increasing number of residents who commute to work by rail make investment of this type essential and welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf delivered this proposal will bring enormous benefits to Ballarat and region,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased the State Government recognises the importance of improved transport connections to the future viability and prosperity of many regional centres.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VICTORIAN Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan has pledged an extra $100 million to complete the planning to make fast rail to Ballarat and Geelong a reality. Standing on Ballarat Station\u2019s platform two, Ms Allan said the government had already started work to deliver fast regional rail with $50 million in the Victorian Budget 2018\/19 […]<\/p>\n