29 April 2016
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has urged residents to support a petition calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately upgrade the Echuca to Bendigo train line to increase the track speed.
Track speed is governed by the infrastructure including class of track and level crossing protection.
Mr Walsh said that the Liberal National Coalition in government gave a commitment to increase the line speed for Vlocity railcars to 100 kilometres an hour.
“Under Jacinta Allan and the Andrews Labor Government the line speed still has not been raised despite many level crossings having been upgraded to boom barriers.
“The Bendigo Echuca line is a Class 4 line and the petition calls for the line to be upgraded to Class 2 to improve the train’s performance and equate it to other V/Line services across the State.
“It is totally unreasonable that communities along the Bendigo Echuca line have to endure a second rate rail system and I hope the petition will convince the government to take action “ Mr Walsh said.
Local resident Terry Nanscawen has been a long time advocate of improved rail services on the Bendigo Echuca line and he has been travelling the line talking to passengers and asking them to take up the fight by signing the petition.
Mr Nanscawen said that when compared to Ararat Maryborough and Seymour rail lines Echuca citizens are certainly left longer on the train
Anyone wanting to obtain a copy of the petition can download it from Mr Walsh’s website at www.peterwalsh.org.au.
Copies are also available from the Murray Plains electorate office at 496 High Street Echuca or by phoning 0354 822039.