THE Victorian government’s plan to introduce VLocity trains to the North-East line when upgraded is on the brink of being de-railed.
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The Andrews Labor government has confirmed its intention to lobby the federal government for more than the $100 million already allocated so trains, with the capacity to, can travel at speeds of 130km/h.
The Border Mail understands the additional funding sought by the Victorian government could be more than double the amount made available in last year’s federal budget.
A steering committee involving experts from the federal and state governments, the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Public Transport Victoria and V/Line was established to develop the optimal scope of works for the $100 million federal investment.
It would be spent on mudhole removal, ballast depth, signalling upgrades, bridge end conditioning on the line between Albury and Melbourne to improve passenger service resilience, reliability and ride quality.
But it would prevent VLocity trains replacing the present N-class rolling stock which is more than 30-years-old and repeatedly breaking down.
The renewed tension between the federal and state governments is further complicated by requirements for Inland Rail which will also use the North-East rail corridor.
The Victorian government has confirmed $2 million has been invested to design the “next generation of long haul trains for the North-East line”.
The North-East line must come into line with the rest of the Victorian passenger train network and be upgraded to at least a ‘Class 2’ track to run VLocity trains at top speed.
The Victorian Government intends to prepare a proposal to put to the federal government to fund the additional cost.
“We’re continuing to fight for Victoria’s money to be released without further delay and to deliver better services for the North-East line,” a spokesperson for public transport minister Jacinta Allan said.
A ‘Class 1’ standard track exists on the NSW side of the border.
An ARTC spokesman said: “From an ARTC perspective the steering committee had clear objectives in developing the scope for delivery of the Australian government’s $100 million funding commitment to the North-East rail line which focused on improving the reliability, resilience and ride comfort of existing V/Line services using the line.
“ARTC has no objections to the introduction of VLocity’s on the North-East Rail line today.
“The NSW XPT is an equivalent-type train that already operates between Melbourne and Albury at a speed of up to 130km/h.”