1999 News Archive
1999 News Index
Complete News IndexNOTE: News items arranged by date, in reverse order.
September 1999 - State Election Labour Transport Policy - Rail Service Extensions (Craigieburn - CGB) In the wake of the state election, we have been left with a chance of a Labour government ( www.vic.alp.org.au ). The following is a quote from their transport policy, covering a possible extension to Craigieburn... View their transport policies at: http://www.vic.alp.org.au/policy/transport/index.html
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Metropolitan rail extensions
Melbourne's rail network has failed to keep pace with the rapid growth being experienced in the Northern and South Eastern regions. A Labor Government will implement, in partnership with private operators, a $42.9m rail extension plan in its first term of office. Labor is committed to extending and upgrading the following train routes:
Coolaroo to Craigieburn
Labor will provide $20.4m for this extension that will serve the new suburb of Roxburgh Park and the rapidly growing community of Craigieburn.
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"Labor will provide the following funds for the metropolitan rail extension initiatives:"
$million $million 2001-2002 2002-2003 5.30 27.10 9th August 1999 - Moonee Ponds Station waiting room re-opened...
Moonee Ponds Station waiting room has been re-opened to the public as part of a three week trial. Bayside Trains in conjunction with Holmes Rd. Newsagency have aranged the opening of the waiting room between 7:00am and 9:30am. I am unsure of when this started as I only noticed the sign on the platform on the 09/08/1999. August 30 1999 - Report casts doubt on rail link
July 1999
July 1999 - MTE the succesful bidder for Hillside Trains...
The sucessful bidder for Bayside Trains is Melbourne Transport Enterprises (MTE), a division of who are a French owned company. MTE have an affiliation with
who will undoubtably provide their new trains, creating a difference between Bayside and Hillside's fleets as Bayside will buy clyde?
Broadmeadows Station Signalling Overhaul...
Broadmeadows Station will have all signalling and points replaced as well as the signal box next year (2000). Thanks to Chris Gordon for this news. Tuesday 8th June - "Massive upheaval needed for rail link"
Moonee Ponds and Glenbervie stations would have to be reconstructed completely and adjacent trees removed for the airport rail link. This information is from the local paper and I'm sure this will apply to other stations too? For more see the Moonee Valley Community News Tues June 8th 1999 and "Stations fate in doubt" below... Tuesday 8th June - "Airport link boom gloom"
Kensington residents claim that the will only be 12 minutes in each hour when the boom gates will not be down at the Kensington level crossing. The crossing would have to be closed as trains would be passing almost all the time, with shunting in the grain siding, regular V/line passenger and Bayside Trains services, and the added airport trains. Residents also expressed concern at the amount of noise involved, saying that night services would have to be kept to a bare minimum, while they would prefer the government to opt for the Albion route and abandon this line altogether. For more see the Moonee Valley Community News Tues June 8th 1999. Friday 25th June - National Express 'wins' Bayside Trains and VLP
National Express (NE) was announced as the successful bidder for Bayside Trains, V/Line Passenger and Swanston Trams. Control will be handed over in late August 1999.
Bayside Trains will get 62 new 3 car trains to replace 1/3 of the fleet at a cost of $400 million. NE will also spend 70 million on refurbishing the rest of the fleet to modern standards. They hope to increase patronage by 84% over 15 years. NE already own the Bus Company.
For VLP, NE will spend almost $158 million on 58 new sprinters capable of travelling at 160 km/h and 7 million refurbishing trains and upgrading stations. 135 extra services will begin from May 2000. At this stage there is no indication that any rail services will be reinstated. Patronage is hoped to increase to 74% over 10 years. May 1999 - Spencer Street Station Plans
The last stage of the docklands Development involves Spencer Street Station, one proposal is to make it an underground station with a shopping centre or other development built on top. For more visit: www.docklands.vic.gov.au. Monday 24th May 1999 - Final Bids for Train Services
Final bids have now been recieved for Bayside and Hillside Trains, a decision is expected in approximately 8 weeks.
Sat. 29th May 1999 - 80 years since first elec. rail service in Aust.
The vintage tait train commemorated 80 years since the first electric train ran on the 29th May 1919. It departed Essendon Station at 2.52 on Saturday 29th May 1999. To see some photos, visit the Tait GALLERY. Monday 31st May - "Station's fate in doubt"
Moonee Valley city council has unveiled multi million dollar plans for an underground station at moonee ponds in a bid to eliminate the Puckle Street level crossing.
The historic station building may be retained as a reseraunt but its future is in doubt. (This undermines the councils' argument that the third line for the airport would lead to the demolition of historic buildings!) For more see the Moonee Valley Gazette May 31, 1999.April 1999 - Kilmore East Quarry Trains
Quarry Trains from Kilmore East passed every night from 25/4 to 1/5 at approx. 23:00. More information is available on the sightings page.
A
Airport Link - August 30 1999 - Report casts doubt on rail link
Airport Link - Tuesday 8th June - "Massive upheaval needed for rail link"
Airport Link - Tuesday 8th June - "Airport link boom gloom"
B
Broadmeadows Station - Broadmeadows Station Signalling Overhaul...
C
Craigieburn Extension - September 1999 - Labour Transport Policy
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Electrification - Saturday 29th May 1999 - 80 years since first elec. rail service in Aust.
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Moonee Ponds Station - 9th August 1999 - Moonee Ponds Station waiting room re-opened...
Moonee Ponds Station - Monday 31st May - "Station's fate in doubt"
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Privatisation - July 1999 - MTE the succesful bidder for Hillside Trains...
Privatisation - Friday 25th June - National Express 'wins' Bayside Trains and VLP
Privatisation - Monday 24th May 1999 - Final Bids for Train Services
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Quarry Trains - April 1999 - Kilmore East Quarry Trains
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Spencer Street Station - May 1999 - Spencer Street Station Plans
