Questions to Kathleen Matthews Ward MP regarding Upfield Train Line Upgrade

On 7th August John Englart and Jan Carr from the Upfield Transport Alliance met with Kathleen Matthews Ward, MP for Broadmeadows.

We discussed the need to upgrade and extend the Upfield line in the context of the northern transport corridor and urban development in the northern suburbs. This takes into account the projected growth in population in the new residential suburbs and the capacity of the present Criagieburn line, as well as social equity considerations.

Duplication of track between Gowrie and Upfield, new station at Campbellfield, track extension to Craigieburn and eventually Wallan to serve the growing residential suburbs as part of transport equity.

Some focus on how public transport will be provided when Upfield line is closed for Brunswick level crossing removal.

We asked Kathleen to ask to see the Somerton Link report completed for $5 million in 2018, which has not been released to the public.

It was a friendly conversation, but few answers we can report. This list was given to Kathleen.

Upfield Line Upgrade questions

  1. Re: closure of the Upfield line whilst the level crossings are removed in Brunswick.
    1. When will the work to remove level crossings begin and how long do they anticipate the Upfield Line will be closed?
    2. What arrangements will be in place to provide public transport to those users getting on and off on stations between Coburg and Upfield? e.g. will a shuttle train service be operated between Upfield and Coburg or will there be replacement buses?
    3. What arrangements will there be to provide an equal service to people with disabilities when the Upfield Line is closed?
  1. Re: Duplication of the single-track line between Gowrie and Upfield.
    1. When does the State Government intend to duplicate the line between Gowrie and Upfield?
    2. What will it cost to duplicate this 4km (approx.) of track between Gowrie and Upfield?
    3. Is it necessary to remove the level crossing at Barry Road (close to Upfield Station) before the line can be duplicated?
  1. Increasing frequency to 10 minutes on the Upfield Line
    1. How will parity with other parts of the metro rail system be guaranteed in operating a 10-minute service along the entire Upfield Line?
    2. Is the intention of the state government to only operate a 10-minute service between the city and Coburg once the metro tunnel is completed?
    3. Is the plan to increase frequency to every 10 minutes only in peak hours?
    4. Is there a plan to increase frequency of evening trains currently operating every 30 minutes?
    5. What would it cost to install the necessary signalling and cross over at Gowrie to permit trains to operate at 10-minute intervals to and from Gowrie
  1. Extending the Upfield Line
    1. When is the State Government extending the Upfield Line to Roxburgh Park/Summerton?
    2. When is the State Government releasing the $5 million 2018 report on the Summerton Link?
    3. When is the State Government extending the Upfield Line to rapidly growing areas north of Roxburgh Park to Wallan?
    4. Can it be confirmed that the State Government is moving to driverless trains and will use the Upfield Line to trial this?
    5. What is the time line for driverless trains on the Upfield Line?
  1. Train Station at Campbellfield
    1. When is the state government reinstating the much-needed railway station at Campbellfield?
    2. What is the cost of building a station at Campbellfield?

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