The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has labelled the recent announcement of increased services on the Shepparton Line, nothing more than spin and unacceptable further delays from Jacinta Allan and Labor.
“Let it not be forgotten that this project was delayed by nearly three years when it was originally to be completed by 2023 and with additional services already promised as part of the upgrade.
“I have been in constant contact with the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, regarding the completion of the Shepparton Line Upgrade and the increased services from it.
“In December last year, she confirmed that the works had been completed. Since then, I have been calling for the increased promised services to be delivered onto the line.
“The Minister has been well aware of the significant overcrowding on the Shepparton Line for quite some time and the concerns of safety of commuters.
“To announce that it will take a further 12 months to train the train drivers and further delay these additional services is just unacceptable. And just shows the incompetence of this government’s management of projects and ignoring the urgency to provide these public transport services,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
In describing the recent announcement made by the Allan Labor Government, Ms O’Keeffe described that “common sense” would tell the government of the day to have the drivers ready and trained up once the works were completed.
“Now that the works are completed, we should also have the traffic lights at the MacIntosh and Wyndham Street intersection fully functioning and operating. These lights have been sitting at a major intersection into the gateway of Shepparton completely switched off and not operating, which is dangerous and confusing for many drivers.
“With the rollout of free public transport launched as a cost of living measure to address the increasing cost of fuel and the expected increased patronage from this, you would think that the Minister responsible would ensure that there are adequate services including increased public bus services.
“As a region alone, we already have a shortfall of public bus transport services prior to this announcement.
“A bus service review needs to be undertaken urgently so that the community can benefit from the free public transport incentive.
“My office is constantly contacted by locals who are frustrated about the lack of reliable and adequate train and bus services across the Shepparton District.
“Many areas such as Tatura, Kialla West, Shepparton East, Congupna and Tallygaroopna have no services at all.
“Once again, I have contacted the Minister urging her to provide adequate public train and bus services for our community. Regional communities already have limited transport options and should not be neglected during these challenging times.
“It is clear that Labor can’t manage projects, can’t manage our public transport system and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
