By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A new train depot in Pakenham and longer platforms at stations along the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines are among upgrades taking place on the Melbourne train network.
The $660 million upgrades will cause disruptions to services along the south east rail corridor during April with buses to replace trains while the upgrades are underway.
Member for Eastern Victoria Daniel Mulino visited the construction site of the new train depot in Pakenham on Friday 18 February to inspect the works underway.
The new depot will include a maintenance facility, high-tech simulator and stabling for up to 30 of the 65 new high-capacity metro trains.
The construction of the depot will also support local business with 87 per cent local materials going into the project and 100 ongoing local jobs when complete.
Apprentices and trainees will form 15 per cent of the workforce, and a further 7 per cent will be disadvantaged workers; addressing unemployment and skills shortages in the south east.
Mr Mulino said the upgrade works to the train lines would be a boon for the Pakenham and surrounding areas.
“This new depot is a huge win for Pakenham, and will support bigger trains and better services right along the Cranbourne-Pakenham line,” he said.
“It will provide work, skills and opportunities for hundreds of people, and help thousands more get home safer and sooner.”
Platforms at 13 existing stations along the Pakenham and Cranbourne train lines will be extended to accommodate the new high capacity trains.
The upgrades will also see 70 kilometres of overhead power lines rebuilt and 20 substations will be built or upgraded to improve service reliability.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the new trains and upgrades to the train stations would mean more residents of the south-east would be able to get to and from the city.
“Bigger trains, better stations, and no level crossings will get tens of thousands of people in Melbourne’s south east home safer and sooner every day,” he said.
