The latest high capacity metro train (HCMT) has begun taking passengers on the Pakenham line, set to be part of the “revolution“ of Victoria’s public transport system, according to Transport Minsiter Ben Carroll.
The HCMT is the 15th high tech locomotive to join the fleet since the rollout began December 2020, with the State Government well on track to deliver the 65 promised trains, Mr Carroll said.
Mr Carroll visited the Pakenham East train depo on Wednesday 16 February, along with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, to assess the five HCMTs which will next join the fleet once signalling testing at the facility is complete.
“This $2.3 billion investment- 65 HCMT and high capacity signalling- every day we are moving closer to a turn up and go system in Victoria and that will mean Victoria is on par with some of the world’s best public transport systems from Singapore, to Hong Kong to London,“ Mr Carroll said.
Part of that revolution of the South East public transport system involves the official opening of the revamped Merinda Park Train Station on Sunday 13 February.
“We really are creating cities for the future, it’s wonderful to see stations like Merinda Park and the stations in the outer suburbs are having the best in station amenities and technologies in the suburbs,” Mr Carroll said.
“Once upon a time you went to the cities to have those kind of stations, now they are popping up around our outer suburbs.”
The “revolution” also includes the controversial extension of the Pakenham line to Pakenham East as well as the removal of level crossings in Pakenham at Racecourse Road, Main Street and McGregor Road.
Mr Carroll didn’t provide a direct response when questioned about the extension, stating: “Minister [Jacinta] Allen is very much working on that project.“
“Bass MP Jordan Crugnale is a strong advocate for the transport needs of her local community. We know public transport is how Victorians want to get to work,“ he added.
The first HCMT began operating on the Pakenham line in December 2020.
The new trains will gradually enter passenger service on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Longer term, they will run through to Sunbury following the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025.
Mr Carroll said he would continue to work with the treasurer to advocate for the next order of HCMT trains.
