Constituency questions
South-West Coast electorate
Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (14:47): (1140) My constituency question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport. Why can’t practical, proven solutions like those used in other short-platform train stations be implemented to immediately restore the six-carriage service and dignity to south-west commuters? Given the significant taxpayer investment in the rail line between Geelong and Warrnambool, we should have a better train service. The government offers the excuse that the platforms are too short to accommodate six-carriage trains. The trains now run with only three carriages, half the capacity of the previous N-class trains. As a result, people are forced to stand for hours, seats are hotly contested, the atmosphere is increasingly antisocial and essential services like catering and device charging are nowhere to be seen on these so-called upgraded trains. Historically, longer trains were used with rear carriages locked and the passengers were requested to disembark from front carriages. This commonsense solution is used in Victoria in Dingee and Heathcote Junction, and it should be in Warrnambool now.