Ms Kosky said the start of stage one of the works at Cranbourne also signalled a significant step forward on the Dandenong Rail Corridor Project.

“The Cranbourne works are the first stage of the Dandenong Rail Corridor Project which when completed will deliver more services for public transport users,” Ms Kosky said.

“The commencement of works at Cranbourne follows the awarding of the contract last month and demonstrates the Brumby Government’s commitment to moving swiftly on important transport infrastructure projects.

“The new train storage facility at the end of the line will allow for more efficient use of trains. By building facilities to house six trains it will reduce the impact of a bottleneck at Cranbourne where trains turn around and eliminate empty train movements from other stabling locations to the end of the line.

“Freeing up this space allows us to run more trains.”

Member for Cranbourne, Jude Perera, welcomed the start of works.

“Cranbourne commuters are already seeing the benefits of the recently completed Park and Ride facility at the station,” Mr Perera said.

“They will further benefit from the security upgrades and increased accessibility, including the paving of informal paths to allow easier pedestrian access to the station.

“The Government has made the new storage facility at Cranbourne a high priority because it can deliver early capacity and reliability improvements for the whole Dandenong rail corridor.”

Ms Kosky said the Dandenong Rail Corridor Project was a key part of the Brumby Government’s 10-year, $10.5 billion transport blueprint, Meeting Our Transport Challenges.

“The Dandenong rail corridor services 15 per cent of Melbourne’s population and that’s why we made it a priority transport investment as part of our commitment to meeting the transport needs of Victorians no matter where they live,” Ms Kosky said.

Works on the Cranbourne stabling and station upgrade project are expected to be completed by next year.

For more information about the Dandenong Rail Corridor project visit www.transport.vic.gov.au