‘I’ve got no time for new trains’

By Glen Atwell
A TRAIN timetable reshuffle which will add services to the Dandenong line is a temporary relief to a chronic problem, according to a frequent Greater Dandenong train user.
Connex this week announced additional services along the Dandenong line in a bid to ease the growing pressure that the increase in commuters is placing on the train network in Melbourne’s south-east.
Dandenong resident Anit Kumar commutes to Parliament station every day of the week and said extra afternoon services were crucial to solving the current problems.
“Travelling home after work is definitely a bigger problem than getting there,” he said.
Mr Kumar catches either the 7.19am or 7.29am train each morning and said seats are available most days of the week.
“At that time, the train is not full until around Clayton. But on the way home it is chaos,” he said.
“I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve had to wait for the next train because every afternoon peak service is jam packed.”
Mr Kumar said the extra afternoon services announced by Connex would help but were scheduled outside the extremely busy times.
“Extra carriages would be of more benefit but it’s a step in the right direction,” he said.
The neighbouring City of Casey has fared worse, with the two new services targeting afternoon peak stopping at Dandenong station.
This means passengers bound for Cranbourne, Hallam, Narre Warren, Berwick and Pakenham will be forced to wait for another train.
No additional morning services for Casey lines will be timetabled until November, when Connex rolls out stage two of its upgrades.
For Berwick resident Olivia Hunt, finding a car park at Narre Warren station in the morning is more of a problem than getting a seat on the train.
“I catch the 8.05am service from Narre Warren and every day I have dramas getting a car spot, there’s just not enough room,” she said.
“People have no choice but to park on the curb or the grass and they run the risk of being fined $55 but there’s nowhere else to go.”
Ms Hunt said a group of passengers recently started a petition about the parking problems.
“They were collecting signatures on a petition that suggested a multi-level car park be constructed,” she said.
“Something needs to be done – it’s ridiculous.”
Connex chief executive Bruce Hughes said the operator had added more than 1000 extra weekly services since 1999.
“We introduced 200 new services a week in September last year and they helped to reduce crowding on some trains,” he said.
“The April changes are designed to achieve the same for evening travellers.”
Lyndhurst MP Tim Holding said the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines had experienced a 26 per cent patronage growth in the past two years.
“Starting this month, we will add an additional 30 weekly services for Dandenong and Pakenham line passengers. This will provide immediate relief where it’s needed most,” Mr Holding said.
To view the new Connex timetable, visit www.connexmelbourne.com.au.