Transport plan for Melbourne northern suburbs
By Alex Cooper
MELBOURNE — A draft plan for public transport in the northern suburbs prepared by the Upgrade Upfield Coordinating Committee is a response to "the prevailing view of both federal and state governments", namely that it is necessary to save as much money as possible by cutting back on public services, including public transport.
The report, released on September 2 argues, that it is more cost effective to develop public transport than to destroy it. It calls for the upgrading of the Upfield railway line, improving the frequency of trains and the provision of trains after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
Responding to public pressure, the previous state Labor government had promised $10 million towards this, and work had begun when the election of the Kennett Liberal government brought it to a halt. A strong community campaign has been waged against a plan to close the line.
The report also calls for the extension of the line to nearby Craigieburn to form a loop with the Broadmeadows line. This would not cost much, since a rail line already exists. All that is needed is electrification of the Broadmeadows and Upfield lines to Somerton, where they meet, and then on to nearby Craigieburn to form a loop similar to the Hornsby lines in Sydney. This would service the new suburban development at Roxburgh Park.
Other improvements to public transport called for in the report can be made using existing technology. The report cites trams as an example:
"To shorten running times and encourage use of public transport [travel time is high on the list of perceived disadvantages of public transport] absolute priority should be given to trams at traffic lights at minor intersections. This amounts to using the [existing] advance warning detectors in the road bed to begin changing the lights as the tram approaches. The light would stay green until the tram has passed."
The report also calls for:
- closure of Sydney Road to through traffic to allow for greater pedestrian access and quicker travelling time for trams;
- linking the many bus routes that cross the Upfield line to the train by aligning their timetables to the train timetables.
- a rail link from the city to Tullamarine Airport, where a station already exists. This would allow quicker trips between the airport and the city for both passengers and freight and would be linked to the rest of the Metro area via the City Loop.
These changes would reduce or eliminate the need for some of the freeways the Kennett government wants to build, such as the Western Bypass.
The report is only a draft because the authors are looking for public input. Copies can be obtained by writing to Upgrade Upfield Co-ordinating Committee, c/o 158 Nicholson St, East Brunswick 3057, or Nik Dow, 36 Austral Ave, Brunswick 3056. Or ring Jo Connellan on (03) 380 3239 during office hours.