All Aboard Shepparton demand better timetabling and more services

All Aboard Shepparton are calling on the Andrews Labor Government to change the Shepparton Rail Passenger Service timetable and invest in extra services immediately.

State Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed, Greater Shepparton City Council, the Committee for Greater Shepparton and the SheppartonRAILS group want the government to change the timetable to allow for more frequent, convenient and direct services to and from the city.  

Their recommendations include adding a new 6.40pm service from Shepparton to Melbourne, to allow business travellers to return to Melbourne.

“These changes can be easily implemented by V/Line and would make an immediate impact on our community,” Ms Sheed said.

 

“At the moment if you want to go to Melbourne after work you have to catch the 4.06pm service, which is not possible for most working people.

“We’re calling on the government to make these changes and invest in these extra services for our district now; we’ve suffered an infrequent, inconvenient and slow passenger rail service for far too long.”

 

All Aboard Shepparton is also calling on the government to immediately:

• Invest in infrastructure at Murchison to enable trains to safely pass.
• Invest in stabling and security works at Shepparton Station to allow for the dewatering of trains.
• Employ a Protective Services Officer at Seymour Station.

 

 

All Aboard Shepparton has seen what investment in rail infrastructure has meant for Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Traralgon and want a feasibility study to consider:

• A VLocity train with three carriages
• Rail track upgrades (improve from 90km to 160km standard)
• Level crossing upgrades
• Increase future train services in line with demand and population growth of the Goulburn Valley.

 

 

Shepparton and district residents can share what an improved rail service would mean to them and their families at the All Aboard SheppartonFacebook page and on Twitter using the #allaboardshepparton.

“We’re asking the community to get involved in this campaign and tell the government how important more frequent and more convenient rail services are to them,” Ms Sheed said.

The All Aboard Shepparton campaign train will depart Shepparton May 28 at 6.31am.

“I want as many people as possible to join us on the train to Melbourne to show the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan how important this is to Shepparton District residents,” Ms Sheed said.

The group will gather on the steps of Parliament House, before representatives meet with the Minister.

Click here for a pdf

 

All Aboard Shepparton suggested rail timetabling