Two new railway stations in Wyndham will swing into action this month when the new Regional Rail Link timetable comes into effect from June 21.
Released on Sunday, the timetable adds an extra 200 weekly services between Geelong and Melbourne, with many servicing new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.
Trains between Wyndham Vale station and Southern Cross will run on average every 10 minutes in morning and afternoon peaks, every 20 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes at weekends. Trains will service Tarneit, on average, every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes at weekends.
Bus timetables have been rejigged to meet trains and so cut down on waiting times.
High-frequency buses between Wyndham Vale and Werribee stations are scheduled because Geelong and Werribee will no longer be directly connected.
Buses from Hoppers Crossing, Laverton and other parts of Wyndham will connect with Tarneit station.
The new timetable was revealed only days after it was announced that a double-decker bus will be used to shuttle passengers between the new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit. More double-decker buses may be introduced if there is demand.
Launching the timetable at Southern Cross Station on Sunday, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Regional Rail Link project had been the most significant investment in new railway lines in Victoria in about 80 years.
“The services will be more reliable – they won’t get caught up in the metropolitan system,” she said. “Significant effort has gone into co-ordinating bus timetables, particularly in Geelong and around the new stations, Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.”
Public Transport Victoria chief executive Mark Wild said the project had been a once-in-a-generation opportunity to produce a world-class network for the west of Melbourne.
“We’re integrating our bus and train services together, so they’re properly co-ordinated with a genuine turn-up-and-go frequency,” he said.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the new timetable signalled a massive transport boost for Wyndham residents. “This boost to public transport is just what we need to keep growing and thriving as a community.”
Meanwhile, Wyndham council has called on residents to ditch their cars and walk or cycle to the soon-to-be-opened Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations.
