THE long wait to see the new V/Line trains for the Albury line has been contrasted with China taking just 10 days to build a new hospital for coronavirus patients.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Victorian Opposition's regional public transport spokeswoman Steph Ryan made the link on Thursday in frustration at government minister Melissa Horne not replying to her call in parliament last November for the designs to be made public.
"If the city of Wuhan can build a 1000-bed hospital in 10 days, then surely the Andrews Government can design a new train in two years."
Ms Ryan said it was still unclear whether passengers would have three or six-car rail sets and claimed the government was "dragging" the issue because it did not want to make an investment in the country.
Ms Horne slammed Ms Ryan for her coronavirus comparison, but did not say why she had not replied to her counterpart's call or when the designs would be made public.
"The member for Euroa should be ashamed for making cheap political points," Ms Horne said.
However, she said the government was still working on a design and consulting North East travellers.
The exact timeframe for the rollout of trains has been tied to the date of the completion of the Australian Rail Track Corporation's $235 million upgrade due to begin this year.
Both east and west tracks were declared operational from 6pm following a clean-up which saw 1800 sleepers and 180 metres of rail replaced due to damage.
ARTC group executive interstate network Peter Winder lauded the 60 maintenance staff involved in the operation and thanked others.
"We thank the emergency services, our customers and our staff in completing this repair and recovery effort safely," Mr Winder said.
"We would also like to thank the local community for their patience."
But passenger runs will not resume instantly, with V/Line needing the tracks certified before its trains return.
No date has been set, with V/Line saying the switch from buses to trains would be posted through its website, social media and app.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has indicated it intends to not run services on the Albury line next Thursday as part of ongoing industrial action in relation to a new pay deal.
V/Line said the action was "frustrating and unnecessary" given an independent mediator had been appointed to resolve differences.
