THE huge costs associated with the ongoing V/Line train crisis should not impact on the funding needed to address the infrastructure issues plaguing the city’s rail line according to the Committee for Ballarat.
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As reported in The Courier yesterday, the costs as a result of the crisis, the refunds to passengers and the required replacement buses, are skyrocketing, with no clear answer as to who will foot the bill.
However, the committee’s chair Janet Dore said it is important that the expected V/Line budget shortfall does not impact on the desperate need for investment on the city’s rail line.
“It just shows that to save money into the future we have to start now,” she said.
“Our position hasn’t changed, duplication and electrification (of the rail line) is still on the agenda.
“We need to avoid this happening again because of a lack of planning.”
Ms Dore described it as “vital” that the government included infrastructure funding for the Ballarat rail line in this year’s Victorian budget.
“I’d be surprised if a government that is going through what it is now didn’t give priority to the regions,” she said.
“This was the platform on which the Andrews government was elected, to pay attention to the regions and unfortunately we have been suffering.”
It was revealed the costs for replacement buses alone was almost $300,000 a day combined with the millions in refunds already being provided.
When asked about how the costs would be covered, Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the government’s focus was on fixing the issues that are disrupting regional services.
"We will provide whatever funding is necessary to restore the services regional passengers expect, deserve and rely on," she said.
"This will not stop us investing in the Ballarat line through the Regional Network Development Plan, on top of the extra carriages and services we have already delivered, and the Rowsley passing loop we are building right now."
There are currently no new Ballarat regional rail infrastructure commitments connected with the network development plan.
There is also no clear date as to when the plan will be released to the public, only that it will occur prior to the May budget.
The Rowsley passing loop is a Coalition election commitment made in 2010.