By Brendan Rees
Residents of the South East will be the big winners of the Andrews Government’s forthcoming Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
The project has been tipped to ensure Cranbourne and Pakenham passengers can get to the airport safer and sooner.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced that a re-elected Labor Government would provide up to $5 billion towards the construction of the long-awaited project, matching the commitment from the Federal Government.
The Labor Government has assessed four different options and has determined that a route through Sunshine is the best option which ensures all Victorians benefit.
The Sunshine option is the best option for passengers on the Cranbourne and Pakenham line as it will provide the “quickest journey with the least number of changes.”
Cranbourne and Pakenham trains will travel through the Labor Government’s $11 billion Metro Tunnel which will slash travel times from the south east to the north west of the city.
While the planning is not yet complete this option means that Cranbourne and Pakenham passengers may be able to travel direct to the airport or have one change at most.
A re-elected Andrews Government would begin construction on the project, which will cost between $8 and $13 billion to begin in the next term of Government.
Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Davis says: “It’s hypercritical of Daniel Andrews to now advocate for Sunshine when he tore up the coalition’s Sunshine Airport Rail Link from the 2014 budget.”
“Now that the Federal Government has funded a $30 million dollar study to look at all different route options the community waits to see those options costed out carefully.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Daniel Mulino said “All Victorians have waited too long for this project and I’m delighted the Andrews Labor Government has selected the best route for Cranbourne and Pakenham train passengers.”
