By Alesha Capone and Goya Dmytryshchak
The state government will introduce 60 new train services for the Werribee line, including 50 which will start or end at Laverton station.
Ten of the new services, which are set to begin on January 31, will begin or terminate at Werribee station.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said 20 extra services would be added during the busy morning period and 40 new services in off-peak periods.
Extra weekday services on the Werribee line, which go to Newport but do not go through the Altona Loop, will run at least every 10 minutes for more than three hours in the morning and afternoon peaks.
Most Werribee line trains will continue onto the Frankston line after arriving at Flinders Street station.
To reduce overcrowding on weekdays, only two early services will stop at South Kensington station in the mornings.
Trains from Williamstown and Laverton will stop at South Kensington every 10 minutes during the morning peak instead.
Weekend trains on the Werribee line will run directly to and from Flinders Street station and not via the City Loop.
“Our new train timetable will improve reliability and flexibility – delivering a train at least every 10 minutes for Werribee line passengers during peak times,” Ms Connolly said.
Forty-five new services have been added on the Geelong line, which services Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and Little River stations.
This includes 20 new peak services per week between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross stations, and an extra five services stopping at Tarneit each week.
“This timetable update will deliver extra services for passengers right along the line – with better access for passengers in Melbourne’s outer western suburbs as Victorians return to the train network,” Ms Connolly said.
Off-peak train fares will also be discounted for three months from January 31.
Anyone using myki money between 9.30am and 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays will receive a 30 per cent discount.
The new train timetables will be available to view from January 8, at ptv.vic.gov.au.
