Andrews makes the wrong decision on airport rail - dismissing Fast Regional Rail
Daniel Andrews and the Federal Government have made the wrong decision on airport rail, condemning key Victorian regional cities to slow trains into the decades ahead.
Instead of embracing a proper fast regional rail option that would have enabled fast transit between Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Shepparton in the next decade through the use of dedicated tunnels built for airport rail, they have opted for a cheap and short-sighted option.
Andrews's model will share the metro track with airport trains and steal capacity from Bendigo and Geelong, and Melton and Wyndhamvale tracks.
A real plan for decentralisation would be supported by proper Fast Regional Rail. Andrews's plan does not support this objective.
In fact, the Andrews Labor Government plan condemns Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Shepparton to third rate country services sharing city tracks for years to come.
As stated by Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Davis:
"Labor's cheap and short-sighted option airport rail will force country commuters to beg for access to metro rail tracks.
"Melbourne's west and our regional cities will suffer as a result of this terrible decision by Daniel Andrews."
