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Public Transport | July 13, 2018

Labor no plans to return passenger rail to western Victoria

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says a decision to replace timber sleepers with concrete sleepers along the Ballarat to Ararat rail line is further proof Daniel Andrews has no plans to return passenger rail to western Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government has announced it will spent approximately $3 million replacing 7,500 timber sleepers with new concrete sleepers along some sections of the line.

Concrete sleepers are not compatible with a standard gauge line and would need to be ripped up and replaced if passenger rail services were returned to western Victoria. Timber sleepers are compatible with both broad and standard gauge tracks.

“The decision by the Andrews Labor Government to install non-convertible concrete sleepers is just further proof that Labor has no plans to return passenger rail to western Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.

“When it comes to public transport in country Victoria, all we have seen from the Premier for Melbourne is longer travel times, cancelled services and terrible connections due to botched timetables.

“Western Victoria has been totally neglected by the Andrews Labor Government but The Nationals will deliver a better deal on public rail and coach services for country Victoria.

“This includes my recent commitment to undertake a $4 million business case as the vital first step to reopen regional train lines and get western Victoria moving,” she said.