By Laura Michell
Upfield commuters have stepped up their campaign for more frequent train services, with more than 100 people marching from Gowrie to Fawkner stations to demand the state government take action.
The Upfield Transport Alliance, which includes transport groups and residents associations from Hume and Moreland, organised the March 16 rally at which commuters urged the government to bring forward plans to duplicate the Upfield line from Gowrie to Upfield stations.
Commuters also want 10-minute peak services on the line.
Currently Upfield commuters face long waits between trains, with services running at 18-minute intervals during peak periods.
The line has just eight morning and eight afternoon peak services – the lowest on the network. The line is also plagued by short-shunting of services, leaving commuters north of Coburg stranded.
In February alone, 50 trains were short-shunted – a term for when trains are turned back before reaching their final destination.
Alliance supporter Jane Holroyd said the line needed to be duplicated in this term of the Victorian Parliament to improve reliability and frequency of services.
“Improved public transport is a top issue for residents in the City of Hume, particularly the elderly, who are currently very poorly serviced by the overcrowded Craigieburn line, the infrequent Upfield line and woefully poor and disconnected buses services,” she said.
“We believe improved public transport will be vital in providing Hume residents with equal access to services and jobs.”
Alliance member and Broadmeadows resident Sheriden Tate said Upfield commuters were without access to “high quality” transport.
“It’s ludicrous in this day and age that
you have a single track line. If there is a cancellation, you have got a long wait for
the next train.”
