2016-06-07
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport. The action I call for is that the minister give priority to funding a rollout of high capacity signalling for the entire metro rail network. The Melbourne rail network uses fixed block rail signalling that has its roots in 19th century rail technology. Long ago we replaced the steam engine with electric sets, so it is time to upgrade our signalling to the 21st century. The benefits of high capacity signalling are clear. It allows more trains to run per hour. It would take us from the current maximum of 15 trains per hour to over 30 trains per hour. This would increase the capacity of our rail lines, even with the existing condition of our rolling stock and rail lines. It is safer, as the awareness of the location, velocity and acceleration or deceleration of every train in the network is calculated and communicated many times each second so that stopping distances can be more accurately calculated. It provides greater network durability, as we will avoid signal faults due to ailing existing infrastructure. And it is a horror to all commuters out there when they hear their trains are delayed due to a signalling fault. The Andrews government has squibbed high capacity signalling to date. In the 2015 budget the government committed to trialling high capacity signalling on the Sandringham line. This pilot was supposed to trial high capacity signalling on a line isolated from the rest of the city loop and from V/Line and freight routes. From questions asked of the Minister for Public Transport in May, we now know that the work on the Sandringham line kept the existing conventional fixed block technology, so there will be no relief for passengers on the Sandringham line. They will continue to face jam packed trains on their morning commute. The Andrews government has now directed the funding to a trial to take place on a proportion of a single line, the South Morang line, between South Morang and Lalor stations, a total of a mere three stations at the end of a line. You get a fraction of the benefit by putting high capacity signalling on one section of a line instead of the whole length: a line’s capacity is only as strong as its weakest section. So there will be no relief for passengers on the South Morang line. They will continue to face jam packed trains on their morning commute. I urge the minister to take action on behalf of those commuters jammed into their trains on a daily basis.