New train of thought

By Paul Dunlop
AN EXTRA stop at Garfield and buses to ferry commuters to other stations will be added to a ‘flagship’ rail service to mollify local residents who say they have been left stranded.
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor last week announced the measures, which follow an angry response by residents from Nar Nar Goon to Longwarry to plans to revamp VLine services when the new fast trains start this year.
Mr Batchelor said the upgrades would make it easier for residents of towns outside Pakenham to use the fastest weekday afternoon service.
“The Government and VLine have listened to customer feedback from communities in this region and made these changes to ensure that the benefits of Regional Fast Rail are shared as widely as possible,” Mr Batchelor said.
The new Garfield stop is midway between the end of the suburban network at Pakenham and the next stop at Drouin, providing the most convenient connection for passengers from Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Bunyip and Longwarry, Mr Batchelor said.
Two of the new bus services will connect with the train at Garfield.
One will travel from Pakenham to Drouin, stopping at Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Garfield — in time to connect with the flagship train service — Bunyip and Longwarry. Mr Batchelor said this service would enable passengers from the end of the metropolitan rail system to access these communities and the train.
The rethink on the peakhour plans follow vocal lobbying by commuters who said the proposed timetable changes would have posed major problems for city workers living in rural areas.
The new VLine timetable meant commuters who now caught the 4.59 pm train from Flinders Street would not get home until up to an hour later than normal. They would also have had to leave for work up to 30 minutes earlier.
Residents expressed their views to state politicians Ian Maxfield and Matt Viney at a recent public meeting at Bunyip.
Mr Batchelor paid tribute to the two Labor MPs. “These solutions have been worked out as a result of the meeting with commuters,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Our program to revitalise regional public transport involves hundreds of new and revised train and bus services across the state and it’s inevitable that some finetuning will be needed.”