In regards to public transport there hasn't been much pre-budget announcements this year, only a security upgrade for the City Loop. Feel free to add any budget announcements in this topic.
Vital Upgrades To Ensure Safer, More Secure City Loop
Minister for Public Transport
11 April 2016
Budget 2016/17
Transport
Media Release
Thousands of Victorians who use the city loop to get to and from work every day will be safer and more secure following vital upgrades to be undertaken by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, today announced better trespasser detection and fire prevention systems will be installed in the four underground tunnels and three underground stations.
This will include state-of-the-art intruder detection technology, along with CCTV cameras, alarms and platform barriers.
This will not only help save lives, it will also reduce major delays caused by loop shutdowns while reports of trespassers are investigated.
Sprinkler systems in Melbourne Central, Parliament and Flagstaff stations will be upgraded, and a smoke management system will be installed to keep passengers safe in the event of a fire.
The 2012 Victorian Ombudsman’s report into rail safety in the city loop recommended these safety improvements.
The $134 million safety and security upgrade will take place over the next three years, and make the city loop safer for the 130,000 passengers that use it every day.
It’s part of the broader investment the Labor Government is making in the heart of Melbourne’s rail system.
The $11 billion dollar Melbourne Metro Rail Project will unlock the congestion in heart of the network by building a new cross-city tunnel, with new CBD stations connected directly to the city loop.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This investment will make the city loop safer and more secure for the thousands of Victorians who use it every day.”
“The works will ensure passengers can get to work on time, and home safe and sound again at the end of the day.”
“This is the vital safety upgrade that the city loop needs now, while we get on with the project that the city loop needs for the future – Melbourne Metro Rail.”
$875 million to order an extra 28 high capacity trains to prepare for the Metro Tunnel, and $105 million to purchase an extra 5 X'Trapolis trains, providing extra room for passengers, and extra services across the metropolitan network.
Extend the South Morang line to Mernda
$588 million to extend the South Morang line to Mernda. This project will ensure that public transport is a real option for residents in one of Victoria's fastest growing areas.
Hurstbridge line upgrade
$140 million for the Hurstbridge line upgrade. This will include duplicating the line between Heidelberg and Rosanna, which will improve reliability and increase peak services for the north-eastern suburbs.
Fire safety and intruder detection upgrades to the City Loop
$134 million for fire safety and intruder detection upgrades to the City Loop, making the journey to and from work safer and more reliable for the 130,000 passengers who use the Loop every day.
Upgrade Frankston Station
$50 million to upgrade Frankston Station, providing better access to public transport for locals.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $1.3 billion in rail projects across regional Victoria.
What will the money be used for?
This investment includes:
Ballarat line upgrade project
$518 million for Ballarat line upgrade project, to duplicate the line from Deer Park West to Melton, build additional platforms and introduce new peak services. This project will provide families in Ballarat, Melton and the growing western suburbs with the reliable services they need to get to work and back home again.
Regional rail maintenance
$141 million for regional rail maintenance, and a further $198 million for V/Line to better meet service standards so that our rail infrastructure can deliver reliable services.
Extra services
Over $186 million for extra services, track and station upgrades on the Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland, North East, Shepparton and Warrnambool lines.
New VLocity carriages
$280 million for 27 new VLocity carriages, to support extra services.
All views expressed are strictly my own and do not represent my employer or anyone else.
Metropolitan Public Transport 28 more high capacity metro trains
The High Capacity Metro Trains project is being procured as an availability-based public
private partnership, and is currently in the tender phase. The original scope announced in
the 2015-16 Budget included the design, financing, manufacture and commissioning of
37 high capacity trains, along with a depot in Pakenham East. In March 2016 the
Government expanded the order to secure the best possible price now for 28 additional
trains which will be required for the Metro Tunnel project. The contract is expected to be
executed in November 2016, with the first train to be delivered in 2018.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Additional X’Trapolis trains
The Government will purchase an additional five six-car X’Trapolis trains. Together with
the investment in the 2015-16 Budget complementing the fleet of 65 new high capacity
Metro Trains currently ordered for use on the Metro Tunnel lines, the new trains will
manage growing demand across the metropolitan train network.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output.
58 Chapter 1 2016-17 Service Delivery Bridge strengthening for E-Class trams
The Government will investigate the strength of bridges on tram routes to ensure the
bridges will be able to support E-Class trams on the network.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Road Operations and Network Improvements output. City Loop fire and safety upgrade (Stage 2) including intruder alarm
New smoke management and fire sprinkler systems will be installed at Melbourne Central,
Flagstaff and Parliament stations. These works will bring the City Loop in line with
current safety standards. A new intruder detection and alarm system will be installed to
prevent unauthorised access in the City Loop.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Frankston Station Precinct Development
The Frankston Station precinct will be redeveloped to improve Frankston station and
Young Street, and provide better pedestrian and transport connections. This will facilitate
business activity, job creation, productivity and growth in Frankston.
This initiative delivers on the Government’s election commitment as published in Labor’s
Financial Statement 2014.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Hurstbridge Corridor Upgrade
The Government will deliver a major upgrade of the Hurstbridge Corridor. This includes
track duplication between Heidelberg and Rosanna, associated power upgrades and
introducing a new bus service from Greensborough to Diamond Creek. This initiative
includes development funding to plan for additional track duplications and other upgrades
to further increase service capacity.
The initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Mernda rail extension project
The Government will extend metropolitan rail services from South Morang to Mernda,
including construction of new tracks a new station at Mernda, a new station near
Marymede College, and provision for a possible third new station. This initiative will
provide a more reliable and sustainable transport network and improve connections to
employment and education precincts along Melbourne’s northern corridor.
This initiative delivers on the Government’s election commitment as published in Labor’s
Financial Statement 2014.
The initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output.
2016-17 Service Delivery Chapter 1 59 Regional Public Transport Ballarat rail upgrade
The Government will address demand, punctuality and reliability issues along the Ballarat
train line, which runs via Sunshine, Deer Park, Melton and Bacchus Marsh. This
investment includes building a second rail track between Deer Park West and Melton,
additional train station platforms, pedestrian links, car parking and passing loops. This
upgrade will allow additional peak services from Ballarat every day.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Bendigo and Eaglehawk station upgrades
Bendigo and Eaglehawk stations will be upgraded to improve amenity, pedestrian
movement and parking, and compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwth).
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Bendigo line upgrade planning
Planning and business case preparation will be undertaken to increase capacity and
counter peak services on the Bendigo line.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Gippsland corridor station upgrades
A number of stations on the Gippsland line will be upgraded to improve passenger
amenity, and transport interchanges. In addition, car parking capacity enhancements will
be undertaken where required.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Gippsland track upgrades
Planning and business case preparations will commence for additional track capacity on
the Gippsland line including investigations into crossing loop enhancements between Moe
and Bairnsdale and the duplication of the Bunyip River bridge.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Improvements to the North-East Line
Regional train carriages on the Albury line will be refurbished and existing regional trains
will be reconfigured to free up fleet for rolling maintenance and to maintain service
continuity.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output.
60 Chapter 1 2016-17 Service Delivery Major periodic maintenance
Required maintenance works will be undertaken to address immediate level crossing safety
improvements and planned major periodic maintenance to prevent deterioration of the
network. This will support train punctuality and reliability of regional passenger services
and improved availability for the rail freight network.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. More regional trains
The Government will purchase 27 new VLocity carriages to meet demand on the regional
network.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. New services to Armstrong Creek
Detailed planning will be undertaken to determine service options for the Armstrong
Creek growth corridor to improve public transport access and connections, and consider
short-term investments in bus services and infrastructure.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Next generation regional train – development funding
Project development activities will be undertaken to support the future acquisition of high
capacity next generation regional trains. These trains will allow for the progressive
retirement of the current ‘Classic fleet’ of locomotives and carriages. The initiative will
investigate different trains, operating models, procurement strategies and commissioning
schedules.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Track duplication between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds planning
Planning will commence to consider the duplication of the track from South Geelong to
the Barwon River and from the Barwon River to Waurn Ponds.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output. Upfield, Somerton and Wallan enhancement planning
Planning will be carried out for infrastructure upgrades between Upfield and Somerton to
support new services to Wallan. .
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output
All views expressed are strictly my own and do not represent my employer or anyone else.
Additional X’Trapolis trains
The Government will purchase an additional five six-car X’Trapolis trains. Together with
the investment in the 2015-16 Budget complementing the fleet of 65 new high capacity
Metro Trains currently ordered for use on the Metro Tunnel lines, the new trains will
manage growing demand across the metropolitan train network.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output.
58 Chapter 1 2016-17 Service Delivery
Cool, does that mean the 20:36 stopping-all-stations from Ringwood (ex Lilydale), among others, will actually BE six carriages? I think not. They'll probably all end up on the Clifton Hill group or on the pork-barrel express all the way to...
Frankston Station Precinct Development
The Frankston Station precinct will be redeveloped to improve Frankston station and
Young Street, and provide better pedestrian and transport connections. This will facilitate
business activity, job creation, productivity and growth in Frankston.
This initiative delivers on the Government’s election commitment as published in Labor’s
Financial Statement 2014.
This initiative contributes to the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport
and Resources’ Train Services output.
That's nice. Does that mean adding a second entrance at the up end where the buses actually are? I think not.
Heihachi_73 wrote:
Cool, does that mean the 20:36 stopping-all-stations from Ringwood (ex Lilydale), among others, will actually BE six carriages? I think not.
Poor diddums. You don't have an entire car to yourself.
To be honest, if it wasn't for one siding at Lilydale being too short to safely navigate, it'd be a Ringwood shuttle connecting to an up Belgrave.
Urgh, nothing for buses. The Hoddle Street outbound bus lanes also seem to have mysteriously disappeared, although if they were planning anything like the disaster on Victoria Parade, I don't think we're missing out on much...
When are buses ever included in a government budget? If that happened they would be in the same league as trams, with all but the least-used routes running frequently from 5AM until midnight seven days. Not even SmartBus offers that (the Saturday/Sunday timetable structure is SmartBus' Achilles Heel). Speaking of which, why don't they scrap the whole SmartBus branding entirely? There is nothing smart about them aside from a computer showing you the next stop on a low-resolution dot-matrix orange LED display which is state-of-the-art, if we were in 1986. The 220 isn't a SmartBus, yet it runs frequently all day seven days a week, and actually runs on Sunday nights when SmartBus is in bed asleep, go figure.
When are buses ever included in a government budget?
I guess this one is your lucky budget. Budget paper 3 found at the Victorian budget website at http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/Publications/ ... get-Papers on page 38 shows an allocation for "More bus services sooner" at $0.3m in the last budget, $4.3m in this budget, $9m in the next budget, and another $1.5m in the 2019-2020 budget; as well as a "New bus services" line with $2.6m this year, and $2.5m for the next 3 years after this. The descriptions on p45 and p46 don't expand upon either line item in any meaningful fashion.
Not mentioned on this forum is the announcement as part of the Hurstbridge line upgrades of a Greensborough - Diamond Creek bus route (p58). Unless it runs as a "Trainlink" style service, I don't see the point, but it is money being spent on buses nevertheless.
You may have missed the other threads on this forum referring to the new Keysborough route, the new South Morang - Doreen - Diamond Creek route, and the new routes around Epping which replaced a single 40 minute frequency route with 3 new routes with greater coverage and whilst the core frequency is still 40 minutes, the frequency doubles in both peak hours to every 20 minutes. Then there is the new South Morang - Doreen network to be introduced later this year.
Whilst it could be said perhaps that there should be more money for buses included in a government budget, or that there should be more money for buses in your particular local area for buses (such as more frequent 901 services on weekends), it cannot reasonably be stated that there is no money for buses, nor even no extra money being spent on buses over and above existing services.
Speaking of which, why don't they scrap the whole SmartBus branding entirely?
Transdev seem to be working very hard at doing just that. Or at least devaluing the premium branding by running Smartbus liveried vehicles willy nilly on non-Smartbus routes and school services. The only Smartbus route I haven't seen a PTV liveried vehicle on yet is the 902, and I'm sure that's just because I wasn't around to see it rather than it has never happened...
There is nothing smart about them aside from a computer showing you the next stop on a low-resolution dot-matrix orange LED display which is state-of-the-art, if we were in 1986.
You forget the small LCD screens at quite a few stops as well. Was it the 90s LCD screens became mainstream? The smart part of the technology is accurately predicting real time arrivals which, whilst not perfect, are mostly adequate. If it gives a good indication of how many minutes until the next bus, why does the technology used to display it matter?
The 220 isn't a SmartBus, yet it runs frequently all day seven days a week, and actually runs on Sunday nights when SmartBus is in bed asleep, go figure.
The outer part of the 220 (and 216/9) are former MMTB routes, presumably run like trams given that was the key reason for being of the organisation. A map found at http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/existingmedia/ ... ed%202.jpg is quite interesting. Although undated, it would be during the time the Bourke St trams were replaced by buses so probably 1940s / 50s. It shows the MMTB route network of trams and buses (including night services). The Footscray to Sunshine section of the current 220 is shown, but not the city to Footscray section. You could argue the same about many of the eastern suburbs routes whose lineage can still be traced back to MMTB services despite the many route reorganisations. For example, whilst the 907 tucks itself into bed just after 9pm on Sunday night, the 200 runs until 11pm and the 207 until 10.40pm. Other examples are the 234 (last bus 10.50pm to Garden City), 246 (last bus from Elsternwick at 11pm), 250 (last bus from City to LaTrobe 10.58pm) and 279 (last bus 10.33pm from Box Hill). If those routes were started today, I doubt they would have those hours of operation! In fact, it isn't hard to find counter examples of former MMTB routes that have degraded in service. If you wanted to catch a bus along the 279 back in 1987, there was a last bus as far as Doncaster Rd at 11.15pm on a Sunday night. Equally, the last Garden City bus was 11.30pm.
Even so, it was interesting to look back at the 80s and 90s timetables on Krustylink (https://sites.google.com/site/krustyklo/) to research the above changes and realise that even in the heyday before the Kennett cuts, the service improvements in the 2000s meant bus services now are a step change in improvement over those days, however much we think they could be better. A final story - I went to the PTV Open Day back whenever it was (1990?) and tried to get to as much as possible. My last destination was the Doncaster Depot and I got there as it was finishing. For the day the Met provided extra bus services so people could go to the depot open day, but I missed the last one and had to wait for an hour to get the very infrequent 291 bus to Heidelberg to get the train home to Greensborough (trains every 40 minutes in those days). I'll take the 2016 direct alternative of the supposedly awful 30 minute frequency on a direct 902 home any day over the early 90s getting around Doncaster on a Sunday...
The 220 isn't a SmartBus, yet it runs frequently all day seven days a week, and actually runs on Sunday nights when SmartBus is in bed asleep, go figure.
And it probably doesn't need Smartbus Branding or that'd be low on list of its needs. With the improvements to run times in past 2 years to ex MBL routes. What 220 and also 216/219 now need is
1. Bus priority for most congested sections where delays vary greatly
2. Increased Frequency on Western Section at times of high demand.
The public transport minister has been busy issuing media releases regarding the extra V/Line services announced in the recent state budget along the ALP's other funding commitments, clarifying the extra services for Warrnambool and Shepparton.
"This investment, delivered in last week’s Victorian Budget 2016/17, will deliver more than 50 extra train services for Geelong every week, more weekday and Sunday services on the Warrnambool line and develop a business case for the duplication of the line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.
The Victorian Budget provides $131 million to increase regional train services, including 54 extra services for Geelong every week, including four more off-peak services every day and 26 extra services on weekends.
This builds on the 200 extra services a week to Geelong added last year with the opening of Regional Rail Link.
The Warrnambool line will get an extra weekday service from Warrnambool to Geelong and back, as well as an additional return service from Warrnambool to Melbourne on Sundays.
The Victorian Budget also provides $3 million to develop a business case for duplication of the line from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds."
"Minister for Public Transport and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan visited Bendigo Station today, which will undergo a massive upgrade as part of $15.8 million in funding in last week’s Victorian Budget 2016/17.
The works will deliver the Bendigo Station Master plan currently being developed by the City of Greater the Bendigo in partnership with the Labor Government.
The improvements will make the station easier to get to, with better pedestrian access, parking and traffic management outside the station.
Movement between platforms will also be improved and made more accessible, and the waiting area will be upgraded.
The $15.8 million will also fund improvements at Eaglehawk Station, making it more accessible for people with disabilities.
The Budget also funds four extra off-peak services each day for Bendigo and provides $2 million to investigate further capacity and reliability improvements for the line in the future."
"Getting to these services will be easier by car with up to 100 extra spaces to be built at Kyneton Station, to make it easier to drive to the station and catch the train.
These 100 extra parks at Kyneton are in addition to up to 40 extra spaces at Gisborne Station, and a major upgrade to Woodend Station car park, which will be paved and get better lighting."
"The $518 million upgrade will duplicate the Ballarat line from Deer Park to Melton and build additional passing loops, to make the corridor more reliable and increase the number of services to and from Ballarat.
The project includes the duplication of a 17-kilometre section of single track between Deer Park West and Melton, paving the way for the future electrification of the line to Melton.
Three kilometres of track west of Warrenheip will also be duplicated, and three additional crossing loops will be built at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and near Bungaree.
These loops will provide more ways for trains to pass each other, which will help services recover from unexpected delays more quickly, boosting reliability and punctuality.
This package of works will enable two extra services in the morning and afternoon peak, and a train every 40 minutes off-peak. New stabling facilities will be built at Melton and Rowsley to house the extra carriages needed..
Second platforms will be built at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations, the existing platforms at Rockbank Station will be extended and sealed car park will be built on the south-side of Rockbank Station."
