Implications of high speed trains in Victoria

["Peter Berrett" <pberrett@optushome.com.au>]

Hi all

I have just been reading about the forthcoming high speed rail services in
Victoria and considering the implications for rail services in Victoria in
the future.

There seems to have been little press about the possibilities for expansion
of rail services that the high speed links might cause.

Ballarat high speed

A 1 hour service to Ballarat suggests that provided Ballarat to Ararat was
upgraded to 115 kmh running, a 2 hour service to Melbourne would be a real
possibility. Likewise to Maryborough. One could envisage services to these
two towns as extensions of Ballarat services.

Geelong high speed

Warrnambool is probably a little too far from Geelong to significantly
benefit from the Geelong high speed services. However those towns along the
rail line between Ballarat and Geelong might just get a rail service as they
would be virtually outer suburbs of Melbourne.  .

Heading east, Traralgon would be 90 minutes from Melbourne. One would expect
that as Sale is not too far from Traralgon, the services to Sale would
increase. It would be nice to see a spur to Churchill (because of Monash
University) but this is unlikely.

Bendigo high speed

Castlemaine would be within commuting distance of Melbourne. One wonders
whether in light of the high speed line that services to Maldon and
Daylesford might be considered? Further one might even go as far as to
consider replacing the line to Lancefield as there has been significant
growth in Romsey. A service to Maryborough via Castlemaine might even be a
possibility.

In summary the improved links with major regional towns may have interesting
flow on effects in terms of currently closed lines or services to nearby
country towns.

cheers Peter