Report supports saving Upfield train line
By Vannessa Hearman
MELBOURNE -- The Upfield rail line, which links the northern suburbs of Melbourne to the city, is threatened with closure by the Kennett government after years of neglect by both Labor and Liberal.
At present, the line's future depends on the outcome of environmental impact studies on the proposed Western Bypass, promised to relieve traffic congestion along the northern transport corridor.
The government's plan was to close the Upfield line and use some of the land for the freeway. Currently there are disagreements among ministers whether the state can afford the freeway.
The line already runs a very restricted timetable, following the cutbacks of previous years. Community groups in the areas serviced by the line, such as Brunswick, Coburg and Fawkner, have been campaigning for it to remain open. The Upgrade Upfield Coordinating Committee early in July released a report on the social impact of the line's closure.
The report, “Stories from the North (The People's Perspective)” was written by four social work students at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Eighty taped interviews with train passengers were conducted, with specific focus on youth, women, people with disabilities, those from non-English speaking backgrounds and the aged. These groups were identified as those who would lose most from the line's closure.
The report contests the government's reasons for closing the line. Transport engineers found that there were 16,000 passenger movements a day between Upfield and Jewell stations, while the government claims low patronage. Upfield also has a higher recovery cost than the average for Victorian lines. Estimates that the closure will net savings of $3.51 million were reduced by the report to $1.66 million.
The government has not made clear exactly how many
extra tram and bus services will be introduced to compensate for the closure. Extreme congestion along Sydney Road will be exacerbated.
“Stories from the North” identifies several effects of the line's closure commonly cited by the passengers. One issue is equity. Reduction in services will severely disadvantage women, the elderly and the disabled, restricting access to employment and leisure.
Many users were concerned about the effect on the environment. Others suggested the line should be extended to serve new outlying suburbs. The report recommends that an extensive social and environmental study be undertaken by the government.
The UUCC has also developed a Northern Suburbs Transport Plan, which aims to provide “a holistic approach to planning” combining urban development and public transport. The group invites comments from the community and organisations.
UUCC encourages involvement in the campaign, especially from local residents. It meets every first and third Monday of the month at the Coburg Library. For information phone Nik on 383 2461.
This article was posted on the
Green Left Weekly Home
Page.
For further details regarding subscriptions and
correspondence please contact glw@greenleft.org.au
