By DANIELLE GALVIN
THE multi-billion dollar rail project to transform the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines would provide a much-needed boost to the busy south-east rail network.
At an announcement on Friday afternoon at the Pakenham Railway Station, Premier Denis Napthine said the $2-2.5 billion initiative would deliver 25 new next generation trains, a high-capacity signalling system on both lines as well as a 13,000 square metre train maintenance depot in Pakenham East.
“This is really important for jobs in this fast growing community – this is about improving commuter services, improving local jobs, improving the opportunity to service the growing community of Pakenham in addition to the growing community of Cranbourne and right along the Dandenong Rail Corridor,” Dr Napthine said.
The project will create more than 3000 jobs and is expected to be completed in 2015. Dr Napthine said the number of trains running every peak hour would increase to a total of 18 services.
“This significant investment in next generation technology will give us high capacity trains that can carry more passengers and high capacity signalling that will allow trains to run more frequently,” he said.
“With more trains running more often, that’s an extra 4500 people in the peak hour who can get where they need to go as quickly as possible.
“This initiative will cater for an additional two million passengers per year to meet growing demand.”
Transport Minister Terry Mulder said it was a significant announcement.
“Last year, 13 out of the 25 serious breaches we had occurred on this corridor,” he said.
“That gives you an understanding of the new high capacity signalling system and the new generation trains and what they will mean for these areas.”
Dr Napthine said the south-east was one of the fastest growing employment and population centres in Melbourne.
“The Pakenham and Cranbourne rail corridor serves one in 10 Melburnians and by delivering this project we will provide a more frequent and reliable journey for passengers on both the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines,” he said.
