Adjournment Debate – Sunbury Rail Services

Mr J. BULL (Sunbury) — The matter I raise is for the Minister for Public Transport. The action I seek is that the minister direct Public Transport Victoria to provide additional train services to and from Sunbury and to review planned V/Line restrictions for the area. Members of the house would be well aware that I have raised this matter on a number of occasions this year. Last week I joined the minister in Sunbury for a local public transport forum hosted by Public Transport Victoria. The forum was extremely well attended, and the minister was able to hear firsthand the frustrations many commuters are facing.

At this forum, which I opened, I stated that in my view significant challenges confront us in public transport due to population demand and the lack of rail network space and rolling stock. It is great that more and more people want to use public transport, and it is also great that the Andrews Labor government is investing significantly in public transport and has committed to the single biggest rail project for Melbourne’s train network in over 40 years, the Melbourne Metro rail project. However, due to its sheer size and scale, this project is still some years away, and Sunbury commuters are asking for more immediate action. I thank all of those who have expressed their views in a constructive and positive way, especially the Sunbury Train Association, members of which have met with the minister and me.

Earlier this year the government added two additional morning peak and two additional afternoon peak Metro services for Sunbury; however, this has not addressed the concerns raised regarding pick-up and set-down rules planned for 1 January 2016.

At the forum many senior residents also raised issues about catching V/Line off-peak services at times when trains are running through Sunbury and times when these trains well and truly have capacity on them. This is a very important matter for my community, and I am determined to see action on it. Once again, the action I seek is for the minister to respond by adding additional services for the growing Sunbury community and to review currently planned V/Line restrictions.