A local social enterprise leader is calling on the state government to reinstate a direct rail connection between Little River and Werribee to make travel between the two towns more accessible.
Trains stopped running between Werribee and Little River on the Melbourne–Geelong line in 2015 when the Regional Rail Link was opened to untangle suburban and regional traffic.
Emma Costin, the founder of EQ Leaders – a Little River-based organisation which facilitates a variety of programs for disadvantaged and disengaged people, said the public transport blackspot costs both communities opportunities.
“Werribee is the anchor point for jobs, education, and community services in our region. It’s where pathways into work and training begin,” she said.
“For people in Little River without cars, the lack of a direct link means those opportunities are out of reach.
“And just as importantly, people in Werribee trying to access programs in Little River face the same barrier.
“The two communities should be connected, but at present they’re divided by poor transport.”
Ms Costin said that the current gap in infrastructure makes it difficult to conduct not-for-profit programs between Little River and Werribee.
“That means people travelling from Werribee to Little River for our programs — often migrant and refugee women, disengaged youth, or leaders of local charities — are excluded before they even begin.
“For someone trying to re-engage with study or work, or a leader from a not-for-profit managing limited resources, that’s enough to make participation impossible.
“At the same time, young people in Little River miss out on training and work opportunities in Werribee for the very same reason.
“A rail link would ensure those opportunities aren’t reserved only for people with cars — it would make them open to all.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Planning said there are a number of public transport services that connect passengers between Little River and Werribee.
Star Weekly understands that those connections involve taking a train from Tarneit or Wyndham Vale stations and then connecting to Werribee via bus.
