Werribee, Williamstown and Altona line commuters have again missed out on new train services, despite the number of daily passengers increasing by more than 2000 over the past three years.
Freedom of information documents reveal that since 2011, the number of passengers travelling through the Werribee corridor daily has risen by 2028 people – the greatest increase in passenger numbers in Melbourne.
At the same time, the group of lines has recorded a 36 per cent increase in overcrowded morning services. The FOI documents from Public Transport Victoria show that in May 2011, the group had 11 overcrowded trains between 8am and 9am. In May 2013, overcrowding had spread to 15 services between 8am and 9am.
However, only two new services have been added since 2011. The group of lines was again overlooked last week when the state government announced that services on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines would increase by 50 per cent from this month.
Premier Denis Napthine said the government was adding 4000 train, tram and bus services a week, allowing trains to run every 10 minutes between peak periods in the Dandenong corridor.
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said more services and signalling improvements were needed on the Werribee line. “The west has the fastest-growing population yet the worst public transport. More train services are needed urgently to meet the rising demand and reduce overcrowding.
“The Greens will upgrade the train signalling system. It … will allow for 50 per cent more trains to run on the existing infrastructure.”
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said Wyndham had not been over- looked, and bus services would increase by 130 trips a week. He said buses would better co-ordinate with trains to increase travel options.
Nine bus routes will receive extended evening services on weeknights and weekends, and, for the first time, Sunday services will be introduced on routes 441 and 445.
Routes 436-449, serving Werribee and Hoppers Crossing stations, have been revised.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder did not respond to questions about why no new train services had been added to the Werribee lines before the Star Weekly went to print.
