Mindset off track

‘LIMITED Express’ trains from Belgrave to the City (41.3 kilometres) are scheduled to take 65 to 71 minutes.
Many inbound passengers are forced to stand from Boronia/Bayswater for up to 55 minutes in ‘Bombay Express’ overcrowded conditions.
Their return trips in the evening peak will find most commuters forced to stand for much of their journey.
Commute times are painfully long and slow.
Average speeds on the Belgrave-City line, even on Limited Expresses are 38.7kph for those 41.3kms.
Some marathon athletes complete 42kms of marathons in less than two hours, five minutes – slightly less than twice the Belgrave train times!
Belgrave line train speeds are vastly inferior to those in other Australian cities.
Examples include:
1. Penrith to Sydney Central – 55.09kms, 49-62 mins – average speed 53kph.
2. Beenleigh to Brisbane Central – 40kms, 51-53 mins – average speed 47kph.
3. Seaford to Adelaide (stopping all stations) 35.9kms, 52 mins – average speed 41/42kph.
4. Mandurah to Perth Central – 70kms, 45-47 mins – average speed 88-92kph.
The long promised third track between Box Hill and Ringwood which could accelerate train times to both Belgrave and Lilydale is forgotten in the scramble to build more grid locked air polluting roads.
The current Napthine State Government has committed scarce funding to the East West Link while the Abbott Federal Government refuses any funds for urban rail projects.
A change of government in both state and federal spheres is essential accompanied by a new mindset towards city commuting.
Roger Willsher,
The Patch.