Passenger Rail

Vic begins consultations for Bendigo Metro Rail

Bendigo Railway Station - WikiSandbox1

The Victorian Government will next week begin community consultation on the Bendigo Metro Rail project, aimed at bringing a commuter service for Bendigo residents.

Minister for public transport, and member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, said the government would look to gather feedback from Bendigo and surrounding communities on the project.

Through Bendigo Metro, the Andrews Government says it will deliver a commuter train service for Bendigo with increased services running from Epsom, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat to Bendigo.

Feedback gathered from the community will help to inform a recommendations report, which will be prepared by the project’s Community Consultative Taskforce and Technical Working Group.

Chaired by local Labor MP Maree Edwards, the Community Consultative Taskforce will provide recommendations on likely demand for the service, service frequency, coordination with buses, infrastructure requirements and promotion of new services.

The government has set up community drop-in sessions for the project to be held at Eaglehawk on April 30, Epsom on May 2, Kangaroo Flat on May 16 and Bendigo on May 20.

The submission period is open until May 31. A recommendations report is expected by June 30.

Allan on Thursday also announced a second round of consultation on the Bendigo bus network – which is intended to complement the rail project.

“Community consultation on Bendigo Metro Rail will provide an opportunity for locals and those who will use the service to have their say,” Allan said.

“It is vital that the Community Consultative Taskforce works with Bendigo and the surrounding communities to find out how the service can best suit their needs.”

Maree Edwards added: “Bendigo needs an improved public transport system to support our growing city and allow people living in the regions to easily access Bendigo’s CBD.

“I look forward to hearing from the community over the coming weeks to find out what they want out of this project.”

1 Comment

  1. I believe the station at Golden square needs to be included in this project. And at least an hourly service.