Thursday, 16 November 2023

Laverton electorate

Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (14:47): (435) My question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. As of two weeks ago the Sunbury line, which services my electorate through Albion, Sunshine and Tottenham stations, finally commenced operating with the new high-capacity metro trains, the first time a high-capacity service has operated in Melbourne’s west – a big deal. These new trains now connect commuters in our community directly to the Cranbourne–Pakenham rail line as one continuous service. The service has become possible due to the works done as part of our government’s $2.1 billion Sunbury line upgrade, which focused on getting our station infrastructure ready for the Metro Tunnel to open by 2025. These trains indicate we are a step closer, because when that tunnel opens, these train services will form the basis for the Metro Tunnel service connecting via five new stations in the heart of Melbourne. My question for the minister in relation to these new trains is this: by what percentage will these new high-capacity metro trains boost capacity and patronage on the Sunbury line for commuters in my electorate?