Commuters in Melbourne’s west are finding themselves able to spread out during the morning peak with the first nine-car VLocity train taking off from Wyndham Vale last Monday (30 May).
Welcoming the new service, Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll said the longer trains, which have the highest-capacity of any regional commuter train in Victoria, would boost capacity by 50 per cent on busy services along the south-west corridor.
“Three nine-car services will run each weekday, with one in the morning peak starting at Wyndham Vale and two in the evening peak departing from Southern Cross,” Mr Carroll said.
“As well as improving capacity, the nine-car trains will also provide more doors for boarding, reducing crowding in corridors particularly in peak periods,” he said.
“Platforms will also be extended at Sunshine Station to allow nine-car VLocity trains to stop there in the future.”
Mr Carroll said the south-west corridor was the busiest V/Line corridor in the State.
The Minister said passengers on the Geelong corridor would also benefit from other improvements following the completion of the Waurn Ponds Station upgrade.
“Waurn Ponds Station’s new second platform and pedestrian overpass, as well as ramps, lifts and stairs opened to passengers over the weekend as well as a new walking and cycling path – giving passengers access to the station from the south side for the first time,” he said.
