MPs in great train debate

By Shaun Inguanzo
A FEDERAL push to duplicate train lines between Belgrave and Ferntree Gully has sparked a mixture of support and concern from state and local governments.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood last week called for the State Government to duplicate existing train lines between Belgrave and Ferntree Gully railway stations in an attempt to curb waiting times and service the increasing number of public transport users wanting to save petrol money.
Currently, there is one inbound line and one outbound line between both stations.
Mr Wood said this was “inadequate”, and that duplicate lines, along with a third track from Box Hill to Ringwood, could lead to express trains running to and from Melbourne.
“I strongly believe that we must start considering alternative forms of transport, and we need to encourage people to use our trains,” he said.
“We have a huge population growth within the eastern and southeastern suburbs that travel regularly to and from the CBD.
“We need the availability of express trains to take people to and from the CBD.”
But Monbulk MP James Merlino, whose electorate includes the Belgrave train station, said more bus services were needed more than train lines.
“It is one thing calling for the duplication of the line from Belgrave to Ferntree Gully, but people living in Olinda, Kallista and Monbulk and every other community in the Dandenongs has to actually get public transport to access the trains,” Mr Merlino said.
“So the greatest need in the Dandenongs in terms of public transport is improved bus services.”
The Shire of Yarra Ranges said its preference would be for increased bus services.
The shire’s manger of community relations, James Martin, said “improved bus services will enable people to get to railway stations”.
“It is wonderful to hear of the duplication, but Mr Merlino is quite correct in pointing out that buses are the critical form of public transport in this area,” Mr Martin said.
Knox City Council’s Public Transport Consultative Committee chairman and Dinsdale Ward councillor Adam Gill welcomed the suggestion, describing it as a “blueprint for the future”.
Cr Gill said Knox was also in favour of increasing bus services, but that a train line duplication was important as part of a “holistic approach” to public transport.
“I do not think one is better than another in this matter,” Cr Gill said.
“We are taking an integrated approach to provide better bus services and better rail service.
“If we are committed to improving public transport the only choice the government has is to really do both.”
Liberal Party candidate for Gembrook Simon Wildes supported Mr Wood’s call for duplicate lines.
He said the State Opposition had not yet finalised its public transport package, and would most likely want to conduct a feasibility study to see if the idea was worthwhile.
Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein said the decision would come down to priorities.
Ms Eckstein said other train lines, such as the Pakenham line, were in more heavily populated growth corridors.