JUNE 9, 2015 \ MACEDONRANGES.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Woodend commuters cheer the new country trains’ peak-hour timetable. (Joe Mastroianni)
Sunbury V/ Line snub By Esther Lauaki An ongoing dispute between V/Line commuters on the Bendigo line came to a head last week with new timetables effectively snubbing Sunbury passengers. Overcrowding on country train services between Melbourne and Bendigo has been a long-running issue for peak-time commuters since the electrification of the line to Sunbury in 2012. Now, a new timetable effective from June 21 removes Sunbury as a pick-up station for Bendigo trains travelling through to Melbourne in the morning peak. It also removes Sunbury as a ‘drop-off’ station for
evening peak trains travelling north. Woodend commuters have taken to social media to air frustrations about country trains packed with “suburban passengers”, who they say should be using metropolitan trains. Woodend resident Maxwell Winchester believes Sunbury passengers could face fines if they use regional services. He says many V/Line passengers are thrilled that Sunbury stops have been removed. “We’re still waiting to get a formal confirmation from V/Line, but we’re very happy,” he told Star Weekly. “It’s unreasonable for someone, who commutes two hours each way from Bendigo daily, to have to stand while passengers with
much shorter commutes sit on a regional train and take that seat.” Mr Winchester says sometimes carriages are so crowded that train staff can’t get through to check tickets. The previous Coalition state government promised Sunbury commuters access to both V/Line and Metro trains after the line was electrified. A Sunbury commuter, who didn’t want to be named, says the new timetable essentially prevents Sunbury commuters using V/Line. Sunbury commuters use country trains to bypass the city loop, he says, saving up to 20 minutes in travel each way, each day, and up to 3.5 hours every week. “This has been a long-running issue for Sunbury commuters
since the electrification … but, essentially, the facts remain. The [former] Transport Minister Terry Mulder clearly stated in Parliament … that a ‘dual service’ is being offered and that Sunbury commuters can board V/Line trains,” the man says. “So now, some three years down the track, V/Line has decided to withdraw access to their services for all Sunbury commuters without any consultation whatsoever and contrary to minister Mulder’s statement in Parliament. “Clearly this is unacceptable and an affront to all Sunbury residents.” He says Hume council has assured him that, despite the changes, Sunbury commuters will not be thrown off country trains.
we make your business our business
with years of business law experience, we can keep your business safe and help you sleep at night
Melton : Bacchus Marsh : Werribee : 03 9999 0271