Faster rail service for Geelong

TRAVEL time from Geelong to Melbourne by rail will take 15 minutes less thanks to combined $4 billion state and federal funding for the project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Daniel Andrews revealed Stage One of the Geelong Fast Rail project, which will deliver passengers faster journeys between Geelong and Melbourne, with a travel time of around 50 minutes.

The project is expected to deliver better services while supporting thousands of jobs.

Premier Daniel Andrews said faster rail would mean Victorians could spend less time commuting and more time with the people they love – and that he was proud to be delivering for Geelong.

“When we make a promise, we keep it. We will deliver faster services to Geelong – and shovels will be in the ground in just a few years,” Mr Andrews said.

Construction of Geelong Fast Rail is expected to begin in 2023, subject to relevant planning, environmental and government approvals, and support 2800 jobs during construction, with the project’s completion date unknown.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plan would deliver a boost for the fast-growing city of Geelong where the population is expected to grow by almost 50 per cent in the next 30 years.

“We want commuters to spend less time travelling and more time with loved ones and the faster rail corridor provides a better transport link for urban and regional communities,” the Prime Minister said.

The works will include track upgrades between Werribee and Laverton, including a new dedicated express track that will create a faster route for Geelong services, which is approximately eight kilometres shorter than the current route that travels through the western suburbs via Sunshine.

Some Geelong services will continue to run on the existing corridor for increased frequency, choice and the quickest connection with the new Melbourne Airport Rail line.

“Not only are we delivering better railservices for Geelong – this project will create thousands of good local jobs in construction that our communities really need,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.