Bigger, Better Trains For Melton And The West

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest up to $650 million to deliver better train services to the western suburbs of Melbourne, with extra stabling and upgraded stations to deliver nine-car VLocity trains for the Melton line.

Melbourne’s west is booming – almost 300,000 people have moved into the western suburbs in the past decade. Families in the west deserve a high-quality public transport network that will allow them to leave the car at home, saving on petrol and parking.

The Andrews Labor Government will remove four more level crossings from the Melton line by 2028 and completely rebuild Melton station. That will mean locals spend less time stuck at the boom gates and more time with loved ones. But we know there’s still more to do in delivering better train services for the western suburbs.

That’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest up to $650 million in the Melton Line Upgrade to allow longer trains to run – increasing capacity by 50 per cent and creating around 1000 jobs during the construction phase.

Stage 1 of the Geelong Fast Rail project will move some existing Geelong services off the regional rail tracks they currently use between Deer Park and the city to the Werribee corridor. This will free up space for more trains to travel along other rail lines such as Wyndham Vale and Melton – a key step in the Western Rail Plan and bringing the Melton line electrification closer.

While that work is underway, the platforms at Bacchus Marsh, Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs, Deer Park and Ardeer stations will be lengthened so we can run longer, nine-car VLocity trains on the Melton line – instead of the existing six-car maximum – so more passengers can travel in comfort.

Work is expected to get underway in 2023 and will bring the Melton line up to the same standard as the Wyndham Vale line, where nine-car trains are already in operation. It’s the next logical step.

The upgrade will also deliver extra stabling at Maddingly, near Bacchus Marsh, to house the extra carriages.

This project builds on the recently completed Ballarat Line Upgrade, providing 140 extra weekly services to stations between the city and Melton.

Only Labor is doing what matters – investing in better train services for the western suburbs of Melbourne, now and into the future.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We will make Melton level crossing free by 2028 – but we know there’s still more to do. That’s why we’ll upgrade the Melton line to run longer trains, so more passengers can get where they need to go.”

“Only Labor is delivering the Western Rail Plan – new stations, Geelong Fast Rail and now longer trains for Melton – because families in the west deserve quality public transport services.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“You can't trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals to deliver transport infrastructure – when last in government they promised a lot but delivered no new major projects.”

“The Liberals have opposed all of the Andrews Labor Government's Big Build and have promised to cut the Suburban Rail Loop and planned level crossing removals.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“Running bigger trains will increase the number of local passengers who can comfortably fit on a train by 50 per cent, so more commuters can travel in comfort.”

“Labor is doing what matters, investing in better train services for Melton and the western suburbs because we deserve nothing less.”