Ballarat MP Josh Morris has given notice of a motion condemning the Labor’s government’s roll out of the Regional Rail Link.
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Thursday’s Victorian Parliament session saw Mr Morris give notice that he will, on the next sitting day, move that Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan return the Ballarat line to the pre-roll out timetable.
Ballarat services have experienced an extensive set of long delays and ridiculous overcrowding since the introduction of new timetables on June 21.
However, Ms Allan has dismissed the notion that a return to the previous system is the answer for Ballarat’s rail woes, preferring to address the problems with the continued addition of carriages, in a bid to improve the perennial overcrowding.
"Ballarat doesn't need an old timetable, it needs new carriages, more capacity and better services – something the former Liberal government failed to deliver,” Ms Allan said.
"The former Liberal government didn't order a single V/Line carriage for two years, leaving regional services, including those on the Ballarat line, crowded and congested."
"The Andrews government has already ordered 21 extra carriages, added seven extra carriages to Ballarat services and is undertaking a comprehensive review of the timetable to improve services for Ballarat passengers."
A review of the Ballarat line is currently underway in order to find fixes for the lack of punctuality and reliability.
However, a return to the previous timetable would be difficult and potentially impossible, given it could require tinkering of Bendigo and Geelong services also heading to Melbourne.
“This public transport debacle is a serious problem here in Ballart and across Victoria,” Mr Morris said.
“My motion will give my colleagues in the Legislative Council an opportunity to discuss Labor’s complete failure to provide a reasonable service to Ballarat and will also provide an opportunity for the House to call on Jacinta Allan to change the timetable back.”
“I call on the Labor Party to act in good faith and allow debate on this important local and state-wide issue.”