A group fighting for Sunbury commuters to continue to be allowed to travel on V/Line trains has been buoyed by a meeting with transport authorities.
Sunbury Train Association (STA) members last week met with representatives of Public Transport Victoria and the office of Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to present a report prepared after extensive consultation with commuters.
STA spokeswoman Melissa Limb said the group was pleased that it secured a commitment to hold a public meeting on the issue.
‘‘They were very co-operative and gave us a great chance to share the community’s views,’’ Ms Limb said.
‘‘We’re hopeful that changes can be made. Sunbury is a growing suburb and needs better train services.’’
As reported by Star Weekly, restrictions barring Sunbury commuters from V/Line trains will not be enforced until next January, but passengers are being actively discouraged from getting on board.
The changes, prompted by the completion of the Regional Rail Link, aim to reduce overcrowding on Bendigo-bound trains.
The government recently added 10 extra peak-time Metro services a week, with the promise of more to come.
But critics say the changes, with access to more than 200 services to be removed, are unfair to Sunbury passengers.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Bernie Finn said people wanted to know why they were being shafted, with Metro services slower and less frequent, while many V/Line trains stopping at Sunbury were only a third full.
‘‘You’re standing on the platform, you’re staring at empty seats, but you know that if you get on board, from next year you’ll be fined.’’
STA wants to keep access to all V/Line services, or gain more Metro services, including some express trains, or have all Metro services extended from Watergardens to Sunbury.
Until now, Sunbury has received about half the Metro services travelling to Watergardens.
At last week’s meeting, organised by Sunbury Labor MP Josh Bull, it was noted that Sunbury is a fringe suburb serviced by V/Line and Metro, but not fully by either.
Mr Bull described the meeting as positive.
A petition with 1771 signatures calling for ongoing V/Line access for Sunbury commuters has been presented to Parliament.
