The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its record investment to build a world-class public transport network in Melbourne’s suburbs.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provides more than $2 billion to boost services and create jobs, while preparing the network for capacity created by the Metro Tunnel, high capacity trains and signalling, and the removal of 50 dangerous and congested level crossings.
We promised to remove Melbourne’s 50 worst level crossings, and we’re not wasting a day. This project will be delivered even faster, with $846 million brought forward over the next four years in addition to more than $2 billion invested already to remove congested death traps and create thousands of jobs.
We’ve already removed 10 level crossings and are well in to construction on 13 more. This extra funding will help remove 28 by the end of 2018, 21 more than were removed in the entire decade before Labor was elected.
As part of our transformation of the Frankston line, and to support extra trains to run when the Metro Tunnel is finished, more than $187 million will shift train stabling from Carrum and build a new stabling yard in Kananook.
While we remove level crossings and duplicate the Hurstbridge line, we’ll plan for the next upgrades in Melbourne’s north east – with $5 million to finalise planning for the second stage of the Hurstbridge line upgrade.
Because a world-class city doesn’t shut when the sun goes down, all night public transport on weekends will continue under the Labor Government with $193.2 million allocated over the next four years for Night Network.
Continuing our roll-out of Melbourne’s new trams, and to help run more services, $218.1 million will fund 10 more high-capacity E-Class trams and associated infrastructure, delivering a total of 80 new E-Class trams on the network – every single one funded by a Labor Government.
These trams will be built in Victoria, by Victorians – at Bombardier in Dandenong – because we protect local jobs.
The Metro Tunnel, fully funded in last year’s Budget, will completely transform the network – creating capacity to run more trains and build more rail lines across Melbourne’s suburbs.
While the Metro Tunnel is being build, $85 million will go towards preparing the rail network when it opens, including the roll out of High Capacity Metro Trains.
Our suburbs are growing, so we’re growing the number of public transport options. A new $67 million package will help fund new bus services, and $2.1 million will fund extra peak hour bus services to Fishermans Bend.
$13.7 million will upgrade Huntingdale and Werribee bus interchanges, create extra parking at Montmorency and Cardinia Road Stations, and build a new bus interchange and more parking at Ballarat Station.
The Budget builds on previous investment for the state’s biggest public transport projects including the $10.9 billion Metro Tunnel, 65 new high-capacity trains, the Hurstbridge Line upgrade, and the Mernda Rail Extension.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This Budget delivers better public transport for every Victorian, wherever you live.”
“The Budget continues our transformation of Melbourne’s transport system, with more services, in better buses, trains and trams, all over Melbourne.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020