Institute touts Melbourne airport rail for Geelong travellers

THE Rail Futures Institute (RFI) is talking up a railway line to Melbourne Airport, saying its plan would also have benefits for Geelong travellers.

In a recent speech to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that his government would commit to having construction of a rail link to the airport well underway before the expected completion of the Melbourne Metro project in 2026.

The rail advocacy group says its AirTrain proposal – part of its InterCity plan – fits the bill, and would create a new rail corridor, partly underground and completely segregated from metropolitan rail.

Dedicated trains with large luggage spaces capable of travelling at up to 160kmh would leave Southern Cross every 10 minutes to a new underground station at Sunshine before continuing on to the airport for a total journey of 15 minutes.

Geelong commuters would change trains at Sunshine for an eight-minute trip to Melbourne Airport.

The Bendigo and Seymour railway corridors would also be diverted to run along this new line, turning the airport into a major rail hub.

RFI secretary Dr Bill Russell said a lead time of up to eight years was needed for planning, financing, procurement, construction and commissioning of AirTrain, with value capture one source of finance.

“Rail Futures contends that an airport rail link should be the next major rail project after Melbourne Metro with engineering and construction work underway as resources are progressively freed up from the Melbourne Metro project.

“Completion is needed well before 2030, by which time it will be critical for handling burgeoning numbers of airport users.”