By Mitchell Clarke
An extra 90 weekly train services will be added to the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines in the biggest timetable change in a decade, but commuters will notice some changes during their journey.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll revealed an extra 280 new metropolitan train services and 170 regional services would be added to the network each from 31 January 2021.
“We know Covid normal will see people travelling differently than in the past,” Mr Carroll said.
The extra services aim to reduce crowding, as people return to public transport following the coronavirus pandemic.
In a bid to encourage metropolitan passengers to travel outside the usual peaks, Myki money will be discounted by 30 per cent for three months, for anyone who travels between 9.30am and 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays, from 31 January 2021.
An added 15 new services will be added to the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines during the busiest times of the morning and afternoon – on top of the 10 peak services added in July.
The changes will also mean Pakenham and Cranbourne services will run one way through the City Loop all day in an anti-clockwise direction – from Parliament to Flinders Street.
This change will facilitate the roll out of the “bigger and better” modern trains.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the shake-up was designed to put passengers first by delivering more services than ever before.
“These two train lines are the busiest in the Metro network and they will just keep improving, thanks to our massive investments in 65 new trains for the line, 22 level crossing removals and a second track underway to deliver trains every 10 minutes on the Cranbourne line,” she said.
Ms Crugnale added the changes would also benefit those living in the wider Gippsland region, who park and ride at these stations.
Minister Carroll said the changes were “just the first step” in massive improvements to the network.
The new timetables will be available at ptv.vic.gov.au from 8 January 2021.
