EXPRESS trains are hogging the Dandenong train line and could be reduced to allow more station-to-station services.
That is an option before the State Government while it finalises a transport liveability statement which will reveal further details about the busy Dandenong train line, which is set to receive a line triplication by 2010.
Train operator Connex said this week that reducing express services was only one option.
It said the construction of the third track to Dandenong, would, in the longer term, remove the need to consider a reduction in express services.
.”and Connex did not necessarily support or promote it to the State Government.
“An express train needs greater ‘headway’ or else it would run into the back of the train in front,” he said.
“In other words, there needs to be a long gap between the stopping all stations train ahead of it and the express.
“If the express was changed to stop all stations, a pathway would be freed up for another stopping all stations train to run ahead of it.”
He said express trains, while not stopping all stations, only saved commuters several minutes when travelling intot he city.
“The time savings are minimal, no more than a few minutes, but are still welcome by commuters.
“It is more a ‘perception’ of a time saving than a saving in reality.”
Mr Cassidy said two tracks as opposed to three tracks made it more difficult to accommodate express services.
“Express trains can run with no ‘pathway issues’ where there are more than two tracks, such as between Caulfield and the city.
