Biggest Public Transport Investment In Victoria’s History

The 2015-16 Victorian Budget contains the biggest investment in public transport in Victoria’s history, with almost $20 billion worth of major transport infrastructure to get people home to their families safer and sooner.

The Budget lays the foundations for a public transport system able to move millions more people as Victoria grows into Australia’s most populous state.

The Andrews Labor Government’s first Budget commits up to $2.4 billion to kick start the removal of 50 of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings and $1.5 billion for planning, design and significant early works on the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.

As announced this week, $2 billion will go towards new trains, trams and jobs for Victoria including:

• $1.3 billion for 37 new, high-capacity metropolitan trains with a 50 per cent local content requirement.

• $274 million for 20 new E-Class trams to be built in Dandenong and associated network upgrades.

• $257 million for 21 new VLocity regional carriages also to be built in Dandenong.

• $90 million for the five new X’Trapolis trains to be built in Ballarat.

• $75 million to extend the life of more than 70 Comeng trains in the existing metropolitan fleet.

• $21 million to commence the refurbishment of the B-Class Tram fleet.

$55.6 million is also provided for Stage 1 of Victoria’s first trial of High-Capacity Signalling, which will roll out on the Sandringham line.

The Budget includes $50 million to trial Homesafe – a plan for all night public transport on weekends, to begin on 1 January next year, that will get shift workers and late night travellers home safely.

Catching a bus around Melbourne will be easier and more convenient, with $100 million in the Budget for bus upgrades. This includes improved bus services to universities including La Trobe, Deakin, and Melbourne University.

Monash University will benefit from a $5 million investment to upgrade the Huntingdale Bus interchange, as well as $2.6 million for car parking improvements.

The parking allocation is part of a $18.8 million road and rail minor works fund, which will pay for critical maintenance and improvements to the transport network.

The Budget also includes:

• $50.5 million to upgrade 52 level crossings in regional Victoria.

• Up to $220 million for the Murray Basin Rail Project once the business case is finalised, which is expected to occur in coming months. $30 million was fast-tracked in February to get work started.

• $13.1 million to upgrade the Frankston Station precinct, with $50 million to be made available in subsequent budgets once the business case is finalised.

• $9 million for planning and preparation of the business case for the Mernda Rail Link, with the remaining funds being made available in future Budgets.

• $4 million for the Taxi Hardship Fund.

$2 million for the Bendigo Metro Rail Project.

Source: News Release, Premier of Victoria, 5 May, 2015

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/biggest-public-transport-investment-in-victorias-history