WESTERN suburbs rail commuters will have to continue putting up with peak-hour overcrowding after being overlooked in the latest timetable update.
Changes to the metropolitan rail timetables include 353 new services, 283 of which will be added on weekends. The bulk of the changes are on three lines in the eastern suburbs, which will get 10-minute frequency on weekends.
Patronage predictions in 2008, now being updated, forecast the highest growth in the city on the Sydenham and Werribee lines.
Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said crowding was common at peak times and was becoming a problem at off-peak times “when most western suburbs trains run every 20 minutes, compared with every 10-15 in the east”. “Ultimately, every rail line in Melbourne should be running every 10 minutes, all day, every day, along with more frequent connecting bus services, to provide a viable alternative to car travel and help people avoid traffic hot spots such as the West Gate Bridge.”
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the west’s transport needs had been ignored.
The Sydenham line was one of the most overcrowded but had missed out on more services. “I use this line boarding at West Footscray. I often can’t get on the train after 7.15am.”
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said punctuality had improved from 78.5per cent to 89.4per cent in the 12 months to January this year.
“By operating the network efficiently we can introduce more services and operate a more reliable and punctual network,” he said.
