CAPACITY, rather than speed, should be the priority for train upgrades between Melbourne and Shepparton, according to Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy.
Infrastructure Victoria, an advisory body responsible for preparing a 30-year infrastructure strategy for Victoria, refreshed every three to five years, and provides advice to government on specific infrastructure matters, released the draft document last week.
The report described how the Victorian Government was making “significant rail investments” to deliver a so-called “modern commuter-style service”, which the report described as including five services every weekday to and from Shepparton. “The growth of Melbourne’s outer suburbs is placing pressure on some regional services as residents of these areas also use regional services,” the report said. “The capacity of services, rather than their speed, is thus the biggest challenge.” “Rather than investing in Very Fast Rail services, the Victorian Government can cater for more capacity by planning and monitoring how well current connections are being used.”
The report contends that there is “little evidence” to suggest Very Fast Rail services, operating over 200 kilometres per hour, will improve employment and education connections from regional centres to Melbourne, as well as from major regional centres to surrounding towns and the outer suburbs of Melbourne.
“Others have suggested that Very Fast Rail services will encourage people to move out of Melbourne to help reduce congestion. However, little evidence suggests Very Fast Rail can significantly induce large numbers of people to move to regional Victoria from Melbourne,” the report says.
The 242-page report also focuses on the future of regional road and digital connectivity.
