Media Release: CRAIGIEBURN WELCOMES METROPOLITAN RAIL SERVICES

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

DATE: Sunday, September 30, 2007

CRAIGIEBURN WELCOMES METROPOLITAN RAIL SERVICES

Premier John Brumby today launched a new era of public transport for people in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs with the commencement of metropolitan services along a newly electrified line from Broadmeadows to Craigieburn.

Mr Brumby, also Member for Broadmeadows, said the completion of the Victorian Government’s $115 million Craigieburn rail extension project was an historic day for people in Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park and nearby areas.

“This is a great day for people living or working in Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park and surrounding suburbs and delivers on our commitment to provide greater public transport services for people in Melbourne’s outer north,” Mr Brumby said.

“With more than 50 services scheduled to and from the city each day, including four services an hour in the morning and afternoon peaks, local residents and businesses alike will have more options when choosing to travel on public transport.”

Mr Brumby and Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky joined were at the newly upgraded Craigieburn station to welcome the start of metropolitan services to Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn. The start of services coincides with the introduction of a new Melbourne metropolitan timetable which starts today.

“The 10-kilometre extension of an electrified metropolitan line from Broadmeadows to Craigieburn means what has previously been the Broadmeadows line will now be known as the Craigieburn line,” Mr Brumby said.

“The completion of the new Roxburgh Park station and the new line to an upgraded Craigieburn station also paves the way for construction of another new station at Coolaroo which we funded in the 2007/08 State Budget and will complete by 2010.”

Ms Kosky said the new Craigieburn line meant Melbourne’s outer north now had an integrated public transport network.

“The new services will provide eight services to the city in the morning peak, compared with three V/Line services before,” Ms Kosky said.

“Most of these trains will run from Craigieburn to the city and connect directly with the City Loop, providing a significantly improved transport service for the northern suburbs.

“In the evening peak, there will be 11 trains running from the city to Craigieburn compared to three currently. Off-peak daytime services to Craigieburn will run at a 20 minute frequency. In addition to this, the upgraded Craigieburn station is now a premium station and will be fully staffed from first train to last,” Ms Kosky said.

“From today we have a new timetable that will better meet the needs of people using the city’s train system. The new timetable delivers more than 200 new services across the network each week, providing relief for many passengers feeling the squeeze due to unprecedented patronage growth.”
Ms Kosky said the new timetable and the launch of metropolitan services to Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park was the next step in the Brumby Government’s commitment to improving public transport across Victoria.

“The extension of metropolitan services to Melbourne’s north will meet the demands of the growing communities of Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Greenvale, Meadow Heights, Coolaroo and Somerton,” Ms Kosky said.

The Craigieburn rail extension involved the realigning and upgrading the existing rail tracks, the construction of a new overhead power system and the expansion and upgrading of signalling systems.

The project has delivered a new station at Roxburgh Park, the upgrade of Craigieburn station to a Premium Station, as well as the inclusion of additional parking spaces, upgraded security and improved connections between bus and rail services to ensure an integrated public transport system.