I raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Public Transport in another place. On 31 August the minister announced a new V/Line timetable for the Geelong line. Geelong train travellers will have the benefit of three new weekday services, delivering 4312 extra seats on the Geelong line each week. The new services include a 7.54 a.m., a 1.00 p.m. and a 1.25 p.m. service on weekdays. The Geelong line is the busiest V/Lineroute in Victoria, and I congratulate the minister for responding to the high demand for public transport in the Geelong region.
The western Victorian community is serious about putting into full use the Melbourne-Marshall-Warrnambool line, which services Sherwood Park, Terang, Camperdown, Colac, Winchelsea, South Geelong, Geelong, North Geelong, Corio, Lara, Little River and Werribee through to Melbourne.
This government is serious about upgrading and improving the public transport network for all Victorians. I remind members of this chamber that in 2005 the Melbourne-Geelong line was extended to Marshall and that a new station was built there.
While discussions about the Marshall station were taking place, members of the Liberal Party claimed that building the station was a waste of money as it would not be used. I think that this boost in services proves that the argument was completely wrong, which is confirmed by the fact that the station’s car park is constantly full, with cars spilling out onto the street.
The new services announcement is accompanied by an announcement just last week that regional Victoria will see the benefits of the $30 million refurbishment of 34 V/Line trains.
I ask the minister to ensure that train services to western Victoria continue to meet the demands of commuters who are serious about joining the government in creating greater access to public transport, which contributes to a green Victoria.
I ask the minister to advise me via correspondence of the monitoring mechanism that will be utilised to track the demands of commuters in western Victoria.