The needs of Broadford commuters have been ignored with the Baillieu Government failing to deliver funding for new and much-needed VLocity carriages, Opposition Leader, Daniel Andrews said today.
Visiting Broadford Rail Station with Member for Northern Victoria, Candy Broad, Mr Andrews said that under Mr Baillieu’s Budget no new VLocity carriages would be delivered for regional Victoria, including Broadford and the surrounding areas, in the next 12 months.
“There’s no doubt that Mr Baillieu doesn’t understand what commuters in Broadford and the region need,” Mr Andrews said.
“As more and more people in Broadford choose to use public transport, passenger numbers are growing so more carriages are needed.
“Instead of taking action and providing extra carriages, Mr Baillieu has chosen to turn his back on commuters.
“The State Budget does not make one mention of funding for extra VLocity carriages to support Broadford train travellers.
“It’s disappointing the Baillieu-Ryan Government has made the choice to ignore the needs of the region.
“This is nothing but neglect from a Government that promised to make improvements to our transport system.
“Labor had a plan to deliver more VLocity carriages in regional Victoria to give commuters the option to catch more services more often.”
Ms Broad said the Baillieu-Ryan Government must explain why delivering new carriages for Broadford commuters wasn’t a priority.
“The State Budget was Mr Baillieu’s chance to show commuters in Broadford that improving transport was important to him,” Ms Broad said.
“Instead Mr Baillieu has failed to order a single new V/Line train and once the current roll out of the new VLocity rail carriages is completed, no more trains will be on the tracks.
“This is a shameful decision from a Government that has already made it clear that delivering for Broadford isn’t on its agenda.”