Tarneit resident Stuart Minotti hopes the state government’s announcement for two new train stations in Wyndham will give people like him greater access to public transport.
On October 1, the government committed to investing $200 million in infrastructure in the western suburbs, which includes funding for a new station at Tarneit West and the beginning of planning works for a Truganina station.
Mr Minotti is a wheelchair user who travels daily to Melbourne’s central business district for work and says the new stations will allow him to commute more independently without having to travel too far from home.
“In a rapidly growing area like Wyndham these train stations are definitely welcome in terms of providing the infrastructure we need to cope with a large number of people using public transport,” he said.
“These new stations will help distribute commuters more evenly meaning I’ll have room to move around the carriage and not feel like I’m in a sardine can.
Mr Minotti hopes the government considers including nine carriage trains to make for a more comfortable journey.
“[It makes it] less likely I will be told there is no more for me on the train and get left behind,” he said.
The Tarneit West station will be built on Davis Road and include an underpass, a four-bay bus interchange and parking for up to 400 commuters.
Mr Minotti’s wife, Cait, said the government should also plan for the number of accessible parking spots needed.
“There are not enough at the current Tarneit station car parks,” Mrs Minotti said.
“They also need to patrol them more and fine people who misuse them.”
Wyndham council welcomed the announcement and said it would continue to work with all parties to secure funding for required infrastructure in the lead up to the state election.
“Council has long been advocating for these two new stations to ease congestion for our residents and provide more sustainable transport options,” Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard said.
“We’re also continuing our advocacy efforts to have new stations built at Sayers Road and Black Forest Road.”
