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Geelong PTUA branch convenor Jarred Crowe said the previous Geelong Fast Rail proposal would have only reduced travel times by a maximum of 15 minutes and require Geelong trains to share tracks with metro services between Newport and the CBD.<\/p>\n
“That arrangement risked increasing delays and reliability issues, which are already a major frustration for Geelong passengers,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We would prefer to see the separation of Tarneit and Wyndham Vale from Geelong line services, alongside timetable and reliability improvements.”<\/p>\n
Crowe said V\/Line’s introduction of 20-minute weekend services had greatly improved the convenience and usability of the line, particularly for local trips within the Geelong region as well as travel to Melbourne.<\/p>\n
“We would like to see similar improvements made to weekday services, particularly extending more weekday trains to Waurn Ponds,” he said.<\/p>\n
Rail investment continues to be an expensive national issue, with Labor last week cancelling the NSW to Queensland stage of the Inland Rail line after projected costs rose to $45 billion.<\/p>\n
In Victoria, the Allan Labor government’s Suburban Rail Loop received a further $3.8 billion in the federal budget, with the project’s first stage estimated to cost $34.5 billion.<\/p>\n
State opposition leader Jess Wilson has vowed to pause and review the Suburban Rail Loop if her party wins in November, despite the $7.7 billion due to be spent on it by mid-2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FRESH debate over billion-dollar rail projects has not reignited support for Geelong Fast Rail, with local leaders instead backing other upgrades to the Geelong-Melbourne corridor. Both the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong branch of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) say investment should focus on improving reliability, increasing services and restoring a direct […]<\/p>\n