Triple rail and bus challenge

By Shaun Inguanzo
A MONSTROUSLY difficult railway triplication and more frequent bus services await Greater Dandenong residents in the next decade.
The State Government presented a public transport overview to councillors at a briefing last Monday to outline how it would spend its $10 billion transport works commitment announced in April.
Department of Infrastructure representative Malcolm Baalman outlined the Government’s vision for a public transport-oriented future and said buses played a vital role.
He said a triplication of the Dandenong line to allow more express train services would be “monstrously difficult” to build and several graded crossings at a minimum of $50 million each would be required.
Mr Baalman told councillors the State Government was aiming to ensure every metropolitan house was within 400 metres of either a bus or train stop over the next decade.
He said he was aware of the debate over a weekend bus service in Greater Dandenong.
Mr Baalman said the 30 new routes announced since the State Government’s Transport Liveability Statement in April were just the start of new routes.
Dandenong manufacturers, including bus company Volgren, are expected to ramp up production to help meet the needs of the state’s public transport, Mr Baalman said.
“They will be challenged over the next three years to gear up for these changes,” he said.
The State Government will pump $10 million into bus funding for the 2006-07 financial year, and will gradually increase the amount to $63 million by 2009-10.