Re: Reopen V/line branches

["Michael Walker" <walker@hotkey.net.au>]

>My understanding is that the government still own the land for the right of
way
>- indeed the spread of Epping, Mill Park and Sth Morang could support a
rail
>link.  Extending the tram 'forever' down Plenty Rd is IMHO not viable, it's
>simply too slow.
>
I heard the government still own the alignment too and I agree Mill Park,
Epping (Greenwood Estate) and South Morang would probably support a railway.
However so can Melton now, most of Sydenham to Sunbury, past Frankston could
support a frequent electric railway, Geelong could support a frequent
electric railway - especially given the current Vline peak services are
better than much of the western suburbs and Upfield which recently had $30
million spent to run trains on weekends and evenings. So given all these
worthy contenders still with no railway in sight, I can't see the Labor
voters of Epping and Mill Park getting a railway in a hurry.

Your comments on Plenty Rd tram I agree with although there would be a case
for extending it to South Morang to provide a connection with the railway.
Another way to speed the tram up would be to run it down St Georges Road.
That way it could be in the city in 15 minutes instead of the present 30
with no real infrastructure costs. Then again, the commuters will probably
catch flying pigs before that happens.