The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a massive plan to upgrade train services to South Western Victoria as part of its $1.45 billion Regional Rail Revival package.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced that the Labor Government will invest $100 million to enable more trains, more often on the Warrnambool line.
The huge project will build a new crossing loop near Boorcan, upgrade signalling and install lights, bells and boom gates at passive crossings along the line. It will also install new train detection devices at active crossings already protected by boom gates.
This work has already begun through the $10 million fast-track of level crossing upgrades announced earlier this year.
These works will enable V/Line to run five return services every day, and pave the way for VLocity trains to run on the Warrnambool line for the very first time.
This huge investment builds on the 12 new train services the Labor Government added in January – the first new on the Warrnambool line in over a decade.
The full Regional Rail Revival package, including the $100 million Warrnambool line upgrade, will be funded from the receipt of Victoria’s $1.46 billion entitlement under the Asset Recycling Initiative.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“After years of excuses and neglect from the Liberals and Nationals, we’re building a better Warrnambool line.”
“It’s the biggest investment in rail for South West Victoria for a generation and it’s being delivered by a Labor Government.”
“It’s only ever Labor that invests in regional public transport, because only Labor cares about regional passengers and regional jobs.”