By Alesha Capone
A Greens MP has called for Melbourne’s metropolitan trains and trams to run at least every 10 minutes between 6am and 9pm daily.
Prahran MP Sam Hibbins raised the issue in state Parliament earlier this month, saying the “turn-up-and-go” system could be implemented using existing rail infrastructure, including that in Wyndham.
Mr Hibbins said the proposal, which was a Greens policy at the last election, had been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, which found that 10-minute services could be implemented on Melbourne’s train lines for $160 million a year and for $40 million a year on the tram network.
“Some experts have thought that figure could actually be brought down quite substantially, and it is next to nothing against one of the government’s mega-toll roads like the North East Link,” Mr Hibbins said.
He said that the 10-minute system could be implemented on lines where commuters sometimes have to wait up to 20 minutes between trains, including Werribee, Upfield, Mernda and Craigieburn.
The state government was contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, buses will replace trains on the Werribee line between 8.20pm on Saturday, June 22, to the last train on Sunday, June 23, due to works. Public Transport Victoria has warned that journey times may increase by up to 40 minutes.
Train replacement bus stops will be located in Altair Street, Williams Landing; the bus interchange in the Hoppers Crossing station carpark; and the bus interchange in front of Werribee station, near Manly Street.
Details: 1800 800 007 or go to ptv.vic.gov.au
