Northern Metropolitan Region
Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (14:05): (1073) My question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. The Upfield line has the fewest services and longest wait times and is one of the least reliable train lines in Melbourne. It serves a rapidly growing region and connects people to work, school and their community. Constant delays to the already infrequent services mean many more people cannot rely on the train and are forced to use cars, which clog up the roads and produce unnecessary carbon emissions. Recently your government postponed the level crossing removals in Brunswick you promised at the last election. Now northern councils are asking you to unclog the line by duplicating a section of single track between Gowrie and Upfield, a position supported by the Rail Futures Institute and Public Transport Users Association. Minister, will you listen to the communities and public transport experts who are asking you to improve the frequency and reliability of Melbourne’s forgotten train line by committing to these recommendations?