Altona commuters are accusing the state government of breaking its promise to improve the troubled Altona loop train service.
Altona Labor MP and former shadow transport spokeswoman Jill Hennessy vowed at a public forum last April that once Regional Rail Link (RRL) was up and running a Labor government would reinstate direct trains from Altona to the city so commuters wouldn’t have to change at Newport.
But Altona Loop Group commuters say they feel betrayed as the direct service is not reflected in the new RRL timetable, released on Sunday and effective from June 21.
The timetable adds an extra 200 weekly services between Geelong and Melbourne, via new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.
Loop Group spokeswoman Jennifer Williams said despite the freeing up of the Werribee line there was no relief in the changes for Altona commuters.
“The Altona community is disappointed the minister did not reinstate the off-peak through services as we were told this could recommence once regional rail started,” she said.
“Altona loop has the worst peak-hour service close to the city – a train every 22 minutes.”
Ms Williams said the Altona service still faced unreliable and infrequent services, with almost daily bypasses.
“Partially duplicating the single track through non-residential areas must be done to bring us into the 21st century,” she said.
Launching the timetable at Southern Cross Station on Sunday, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the RRL would improve reliability along the Werribee line and reduce the problems of Altona loop commuters.
“I have met some of the people who are affected on an all-too-often basis from what happens with the Altona loop and understand their frustrations very clearly,” she said.
Ms Hennessy said the government was committed to delivering on all its election promises, and direct city services throughout the day for Altona loop passengers would eventually be reinstated.
“Future timetables are subject to detailed planning,” she said. “The government will have more to say soon.”
A spokesman for Ms Allan said the direct services may be included in a metropolitan timetable change planned for later this year.
