Still no answer on new station

That stop would add even more time to the journey which has been continuously growing over a number of years. This has combined with an growing patronage and already overcrowded infrastructure. 

A PTV spokesperson said the works on the new station would be completed in the second half of 2016. 

“Early works for the new station, including track works, were undertaken in July 2014, with main works on the station starting mid 2015 and expected to be completed in the second half of 2016,” he said.  

“The timetable is yet to be finalised for Caroline Springs Station but there will be a choice of services for customers.

“V/Line will optimise the use of Rowsley loop in the design of the first timetable that incorporates Caroline Springs Station.” 

There has been a hope among Ballarat commuters that PTV would only have the numerous Bacchus Marsh services stopping to collect passengers at Caroline Springs. 

Daily commuter Joseph van Dyk said it would be extremely frustrating if Caroline Springs was added into the already overcrowded and slow services. 

“We would be heading further away from the express service,” he said.  

“Even though we spent $4 billion on a project meant to improve reliability and punctuality, now we are moving further away from having that service.  

“We haven’t seen any benefits from Regional Rail Link and  we don’t think we are getting the attention we deserve.”

Despite repeated calls for infrastructure investment on the train line, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan has remained tight lipped on any future projects. 

The Ballarat service has previously traveled in under an hour to get to Melbourne, however, a journey now takes around one hour 15 minutes if everything goes to plan.