Gippsland › Latest news › Danny O'Brien MP
Gippsland Rail continuous delays sparks call for dedicated railway line by Danny O'Brien
Mr. O'Brien urges Gippsland's dedicated rail line due to recurring delays behind metro trains, highlighting government opposition and compromised skyrail infrastructure. Gippsland Line faces punctuality challenges, hindered by metro projects.
Frustrations among Gippsland rail users reached boiling point recently when multiple incidents that caused trains to be halted between Flinders and Richmond stations saw Gippsland-bound trains experience significant delays of up to three hours. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, said such delays could be avoided if Gippsland was given a dedicated line through Melbourne's suburbs like the Regional Rail Link that services Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
According to Mr. O'Brien, the extensive funds poured into city level crossing removals by Andrews Labor government have diminished Gippsland Line prospects
Gippsland rail delays
Mr O'Brien said, "I've long advocated for Gippsland to receive a dedicated line to prevent the delays experienced by rail users when the trains inevitably get caught behind metro trains past Pakenham."
"I have been asking the Minister for years to at least undertake a feasibility study for a dedicated Gippsland Line, to even look at putting in maybe a couple of additional passing loops, maybe a tunnel at the most congested areas. Each time it has been clear that the Andrews Labor government has no intention of even considering it," he said.
Gippsland rail challenges
The Gippsland Line is one of the worst performing lines for punctuality with June 2023 VLine performance reports indicating that just 79 per cent of trains on the Gippsland line arrived within 10 minutes of their scheduled arrival.
Mr O'Brien says the billions of dollars that the Andrews Labor government has spent on level crossing removals in the city have all but destroyed any hope of a dedicated Gippsland Line being introduced. "The skyrail that has been built to remove level crossings on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line means it would be virtually impossible to now put in a fully dedicated Gippsland line."
"I am not opposed to the removal of level crossings, but I am opposed to all our money being spent on metro projects that cruel our future transport options and give us nothing but disruptions and delays," he said. Mr O'Brien said he would continue to advocate for more reliable and more frequent services past Traralgon on the Gippsland line.
Pictures from Gippsland V/Line Users Group Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes Victorian government grants aiding Noojee transition from timber harvestingDarren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
ACV/GARDS gets $560K for Gippsland asbestos victims and additional $19.3M for asbestos removal from Victorian Labor government
AstraZeneca admission of blood clot risks prompts concerns about misinformation in Australian push for COVID-19 vaccinations
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
Darren Chester presses for federal backing on proposed roundabout on Maffra-Sale Rd intersection to complete partial funded from Victorian government
Nationals push for ban on telemarketing and door-knocking of Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme in Latrobe Valley