Better Railways all round (was : Faster to Ballarat)

["Johann Fan" <jyf@optusnet.com.au>]

David Bromage <dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote in message
0MMR3.9$cS3.348363@news0.optus.net.au">news:0MMR3.9$cS3.348363@news0.optus.net.au...
> Labor on fast track for change
>
> A fast rail from Melbourne to Ballarat will be the first in a series of
> rural train upgrades by the new Labor Government.State and Regional
> Development Minister John Brumby said a feasibility study, funded jointly
> by the government and V-Line passenger licensee National Express, would be
> completed by February. Brumby said the Labor Party had committed about $80
> million to upgrade rural rail services and had promised to begin work on
> them within 100 days of obtaining office. The funding for the projects
> will be available next financial year, he said. While in opposition, the
> Labor Party promised:
>
> $25 million for a fast rail upgrade to Ballarat - with the aim of cutting
> travel time between Ballarat and Melbourne to less than 60 minutes.
>
> $20 million for a fast rail link to Geelong - cutting travel time to 45
> minutes.

If this happens (which is a good thing), it will take less time to travel
from Ballarat to the city than it takes from Rowville to the city (by bus
and train). They are also looking at putting a railway from either Glen
Waverley or Huntingdale (via Wellington Rd??) to Rowville.

cheers
Johann