This book outlines the Smart Passengers response to the Victorian Transport Plan released in 2008. The response is a mix of endorsement, acceptance with suggestions for improvement, and rebuttal. Certain additional projects have also been suggested, which are expected to give a better result for Melbourne commuters per dollar of investment.
The cornerstone of the plan is the Caulfield Quadruplication and Grade Separation Project - a 3-4 year project to upgrade Frankston, Pakenham and Cranbourne lines for all-day express services, at the same time removing nine level crossings.
This is coupled with the Newport-Laverton Capacity Upgrade project - a 2-3 year project to upgrade the Werribee line for faster journeys and better on-time running, including a new station at Maddox Road and the removal of three level crossings.
Other major improvements include:
The Caulfield Quadruplication and Grade Separation Project addresses the current level of overcrowding on the Frankston, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Population in the areas served by these lines has increased drastically in recent years, and public transport capacity is limited. By adding two extra tracks to Oakleigh and one extra track to Moorabbin, capacity is provided for both express and stopping services to operate at high frequency. The elimination of nine level crossings will also give a smoother traffic flow in the area.
The Newport-Laverton Capacity Upgrade Project is similar in aims. By adding short sections of track in key positions, current problems where trains are delayed by other trains can be eliminated. This will result in available capacity for both stopping and express services at a regular ten-minute frequency. The project includes a new station at Newport West and the elimination of three level crossings.
Other improvements are also projected, which will benefit passengers on trains, trams and buses in Melbourne and regional Victoria. They range from extended hours in the Metlink call centre, to trials of new transport technologies, to extending tram routes to serve rail stations. These will further develop our current transport assets into a fully integrated transport system, simplifying travel and reducing Victorians' dependence on car ownership.
Some projects which have been proposed by the Department of Transport as part of the Victorian Transport Plan are not supported by Smart Passengers Inc in the short term (2011-2020). These include the rail tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield. We take the view that the $7.5-8.5bn estimated for the tunnel is too much for the benefit it will have for commuters in the short term - in other words, if the same amount of money was spent on other projects, the benefit would be significantly greater. Melbourne will eventually need a rail tunnel to provide additional capacity, but there are many other transport needs which are more pressing. Within the 2011-2020 timeframe, the array of proposals outlined in this book will deliver a better public transport system to more Victorians. Smart Passengers supports the construction of a tunnel or a similar project to add capacity to the inner-city area in the 2021-2030 timeframe.
The book is available for free download; alternatively you can purchase a hard copy.
Due to space restrictions the entries for some of the projects in the book were abbreviated. Details are outlined below.