Increase in off-peak services with trains running at least every 20 minutes on the Upfield line, including late at night and on weekends. But plan falls far short of a promised 70 percent increase in capacity when Metro Tunnel opens.
The Victorian Government announced nearly $5 billion investment yesterday into Melbourne’s train system, to operationalise the Metro tunnel, for upgrading Sunshine Station in preparation for Airport Rail, to deliver turn-up-and-go services for the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines that run through Metro tunnel.
Some $98.7 million will also deliver more frequent services for passengers on other lines. This includes extending the 20 minute service to late at night and at weekends for the Upfield Line and Craigieburn line.
But it falls far short of the 70 percent increase in capacity on the Upfield Line that was promised by the Premier when she was transport minister in 2018. Pascoe Vale MP Anthony Cianflone also promised in 2022 a 71 per cent increase in capacity when Metro Tunnel opened.
On New Years Day The Age reported on budget cuts made in 2024 to the Metro tunnel budget for ancillary projects such as turnbacks at Essendon on the Craigieburn line and Gowrie on the Upfield line that add to the efficiency of the Metro tunnel.
These would have enabled increase in frequency of service to portions of both lines.
For the Upfield line it could have meant a 10 minute peak hour service to Gowrie. That 71 percent increase in capacity promise might have been achieved.
Instead we are thrown crumbs of extending the 20 minute service to late night and the weekends.
We were promised a 70 percent increase, but instead being given something like a 7 percent increase.
What we need
- We need the State Government to release the 2016 Somerton Link Report
- We need the Premier and State Labor MPs to keep their commitment for a 70% increase in capacity on the Upfield line when Metro Tunnel Opens.
- We need an end to the bullshit and a real commitment to duplicate the Upfield line between Gowrie and Upfield, and extend it to Craigieburn, which will relieve capacity on trains using the Broadmeadows line.
- We need a prioritisation of electrification and extension of the suburban rail network to Wallan
- We need a 10 minute service on the Upfield line, with ours being one of the worst lines for service frequency in the Melbourne suburban rail network.
Please see our September 23, 2023 article: Demands for Upfield Line track duplication and line extension to Wallan grow, which explains the Rail Network Development Plan and the changing demographics, and the Northern Transport corridor capacity issues raised by Infrastructure Australia.
References:
2 January 2025 – Upfield and Craigieburn lines shafted in Metro tunnel budget cuts https://upfieldtransportalliance.org/2025/01/02/upfield-and-craigieburn-lines-shafted-in-metro-tunnel-budget-cuts/
12 May 2025 – Premier of Victoria media release – PT Blitz: More Train Services, Metro Tunnel And Airport Rail https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/pt-blitz-more-train-services-metro-tunnel-and-airport-rail
Upgrade Upfield Line 