Labor pledges extra $100 million for regional fast rail plan

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’s 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’s more to do.

Ms Allan said as Ballarat continues to boom the rail network needs more than just an upgrade, it needs re-drawing.

“We’ve added extra services, made  country crossings safer and we’re getting on with the Ballarat Line Upgrade and we’ll now plan for our next big build for Ballarat,” she said.

The new Western Rail Plan includes scheduling for the full separation of regional and metro services on the Ballarat and Geelong lines.

“This is the first step in delivering fast rail to these cities – meaning fewer stops, faster trips and less crowded trains,” said Ms Allan.

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.

Ballarat Mayor, Councillor Samantha McIntosh said Ballarat’s continued growth and the increasing number of residents who commute to work by rail make investment of this type essential and welcome.

“If delivered this proposal will bring enormous benefits to Ballarat and region,” she said.

“I am pleased the State Government recognises the importance of improved transport connections to the future viability and prosperity of many regional centres.”