A Wyndham councillor is calling on the state government to fast-track funding to build the proposed Davis Road train station in Tarneit West.
Cr Josh Gilligan said the station – scheduled to be built about 2022-27 – was needed now.
Under the state government’s Network Development Plan, the Davis Road station is one of five new stations proposed for the Regional Rail Link in Wyndham within the next 10 to 15 years.
Cr Gilligan said Tarneit’s population growth meant the area required a new train station as soon as possible, rather than in a decade.
“Construction of Davis Road station and the electrification of the line from Wyndham Vale to Southern Cross is desperately needed to alleviate the huge demand on Tarneit station, which is now the second busiest train station in Victoria behind Southern Cross,” Cr Gilligan said.
According to the latest figures from V/Line, in the March quarter of this year most Geelong-to-Melbourne weekday train services that run before 8am were full by the time they reached Tarneit or Wyndham Vale stations.
Another service, the 6.44am from Marshall, reached 99 per cent capacity by the time it reached Wyndham Vale station.
The 5.45am from Marshall reached 93 per cent capacity by the time it arrived at Tarneit.
“As a regular Tarneit station commuter, it isn’t surprising to find that 13 of the 16 morning Geelong line services are full by the time they reach Wyndham Vale or Tarneit stations,” Cr Gilligan said.
An online petition at change.org, called Tarneit West Needs a Train Station, has been signed by 249 people.
The state government was contacted for comment.
