2011-12 STATE BUDGET UPDATE: Following an election promise to investigate new lines, the state budget funded a number of important studies:
- $6.5 million over two years for the Doncaster rail link planning study;
- $2 million over two years for a feasibility study into a rail line to Rowville;
- $6.5 million for a two-year feasibility study into a Melbourne Airport Rail Link;
- $3 million to start planning a direct rail link to Avalon Airport;
- $4 million over four years for an inter-capital high-speed rail planning unit within the new PTDA
This is the most ambitious agenda for expansion in the rail network for a generation. And while the commitment is only to study the new lines, it’s a step in the right direction.
PROGRESS SO FAR: The Minister Mr Mulder said in May 2011 that the Rowville study had already commenced.
30 May: Transport planner William McDougall will lead a team of engineers from Sinclair Knight Merz, who will work on the Baillieu government's $2 million feasibility study for the project. Read more from The Age report
The Brumby government ordered 38 six car X’Trapolis train sets between 2007 and 2009. The last of this order is scheduled to enter service by mid-2012 (as of June 11, 22 of 38 had entered service). They also ordered 50 new low floor trams in 2010 for delivery from late 2012.
2011-12 STATE BUDGET UPDATE: $220 million was allocated to buy 7 six car X’Trapolis trains for delivery from 2014.
The current fleets stands at 369 three car train sets and 487 trams (including 100 low floor).
The need for new rolling stock (and the extra services they enable) is highlighted in figures obtained about peak hour overcrowding on trains. As reported in The Age 17 May 2011 , many trains were recorded with over 1000 passengers when they are considered full at 800 (570 seated and 228 standing).
PROGRESS SO FAR
New trains since 2006: 22 of 38 six car X’Trapolis trains (with the last being delivered by 2012) Another 7 trains on order for delivery commencing in 2014
New trams since 2006: Five bumblebee trams were leased in 2008. In 2010, the Brumby government ordered 50 new low floor trams for delivery from 2012.
Buses: the Bus Replacement Program has delivered around 270 new buses since 2008, which are modern, air-conditioned vehicles that improve passenger comfort and meet the requirements of the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The Bus Replacement Program will add around 70 new buses each year.
The placement of two armed Protective Security Officers (PSOs) at every metropolitan train station from dusk to last train is the centre piece of the government’s plan for safer transit. Ultimately this will require 940 fully trained PSOs, however the government has given no firm date for the first deployment.
The PSO plan received a mixed reaction and there are number of outstanding implementation questions, including toilet facilities at stations.
Employing customer service staff at more stations would also improve safety and reassure the travelling public.
PROGRESS SO FAR
PSOs deployed: No date has been set for first deployment
Stations with regular staff: 78 premium stations have staffing from first to last train, another 28 host stations have staff for several hours during the moringing weekday peak, and another 22 have staff for two hours during the morning weekday peak. 84 stations have no staffing. There are also approximately 350 Authorised Officers on the metropolitan train network who patrol on board trains and on stations
The proposed establishment of the new Public Transport Development Authority (PTDA) is a major step for the state government.
Announcing $10 million over four years to set up the authority, Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the PTDA would adopt a back-to-basics approach, including better maintenance, improved reliability and detailed planning for network expansion.
“The Authority will be a single public transport authority to administer our trains, trams and buses, replacing the current confusing structure of multiple agencies and authorities,” he said.
PROGRESS SO FAR: Funding for PTDA announced in State budget.
Alongside the creation of the new Public Transport Development Authority, the government has a new Metropolitan Planning Strategy.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced that the Victorian Coalition Government will spend $9.7 million over the next four years to plan for Melbourne’s growth. He said
the Metropolitan Planning Strategy would identify and accommodate population growth and demographic change, transport and infrastructure needs, employment locations, social and community needs and the tools required to manage growth.
PROGRESS SO FAR: Both the Public Transport Development Authority and the
new Metropolitan Planning Strategy were funded in the State budget.
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