Call to ease the squeeze

By Glen Atwell
FRUSTRATED train commuters on the Pakenham line are calling for more services and extra car spaces to help ease the squeeze during peak periods.
Connex recently unveiled a three stage improvement program to ease crowded Pakenham trains.
The first stage, which starts on 27 April, will add only two additional afternoon peak services, one at 4.04pm and the other at 6.30pm.
Both originate at Flinders Street and will terminate at Dandenong, meaning passengers bound for Pakenham, Berwick, Hallam Narre Warren and Cranbourne will be forced to wait for another train.
No additional morning services for the Pakenham or Cranbourne lines will be put in place until November when Connex rolls out stage two of its upgrades.
Opposition MP Inga Peulich said public transport commuters in Casey and Greater Dandenong should be angry at the Band-Aid attempt to add additional services on local lines.
“This is very disappointing for the thousands of local residents that are packed in like sardines on morning peak hour trains in an attempt to get to work,” she said.
“By announcing two services outside of traditional afternoon peak hour, Casey and Greater Dandenong are being taken on another Brumby public relations ride.”
“Unfortunately, such a stunt will not work, as commuters will have to depart the train at Dandenong and catch a later connecting train to travel back home to Cranbourne, Hallam, Narre Warren or Berwick,” Ms Peulich said.
Dandenong resident Anit Kumar commutes to Parliament station every day of the week and said extra afternoon services were crucial to solving the current problems.
“Travelling home after work is definitely a bigger problem than getting there,” he said.
Mr Kumar catches either the 7.19am or 7.29am train each morning and said seats are available most days of the week.
“At that time, the train is not full until around Clayton. But on the way home it is chaos,” he said.
“I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve had to wait for the next train because every afternoon peak service is jam packed.”
Mr Kumar said the extra afternoon services announced by Connex would help but were scheduled outside the extremely busy times.
“Extra carriages would be of more benefit but it’s a step in the right direction,” he said.
For Berwick resident Olivia Hunt, finding a car park at Narre Warren station in the morning is more of a problem than getting a seat on the train.
“I catch the 8.05am service from Narre Warren and everyday I have dramas getting a car spot, there’s just not enough room,” she said.
“People have no choice but to park on the curb or the grass and they run the risk of being fined $55, but there’s nowhere else to go.”
Ms Hunt said a group of passengers recently started a petition about the parking problems. “They were collecting signatures on a petition that suggested a multi-level car park be constructed,” she said.
“Something needs to be done – it’s ridiculous.”
Connex chief executive Bruce Hughes said the operator had added more than 1000 extra weekly services since 1999.
“We introduced 200 new services a week in September last year and they helped to reduce crowding on some trains,” he said.
“The April changes are designed to achieve the same for evening travellers.”
Lyndhurst MP Tim Holding said the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines had experienced a 26 per cent patronage growth in the past two years.
“Starting this month, we will add an additional 30 weekly services for Dandenong and Pakenham line passengers. This will provide immediate relief where it’s needed most,” Mr Holding said.
To view the new Connex timetable visit www.connexmelbourne.com.au.