New

TRAIN commuters will welcome the announcement of a new timetable bringing peak services and operating changes for the Pakenham and Cranbourne line.
The new services, announced on Wednesday, will come into effect on June 6 and will also have new stopping patterns to improve network efficiency.
Metro CEO Andrew Lezala said the June changes mostly focus on the Pakenham/Cranbourne and Frankston lines, where patronage has grown 50 per cent since 2004, but also includes additional services across the rest of the network.
“Adding more services, particularly during the peaks, will help to reduce overcrowding which we know is a real concern for our customers,” said Mr Lezala.
Mr Lezala said that adding hundreds of extra services was possible due to the new trains being delivered as part of the Victorian Transport Plan.
Local MP Jude Perera welcomed the announcement which will see 211 new and extended weekly services added to the network, including 71 new services every week on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines.
“Ten of these weekly services will be in the morning peak, and 24 in the evening peak,” Mr Perera said.
“This will make a great difference for people travelling to and from the city.”
He said the new timetable was designed to boost on-time performance through some simple changes in stopping patterns.
For details on the new timetables, go to www.metrotrains.com.au or www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/