NAPTHINE HEADS OFF MANNINGHAM CAMPAIGN FOR RAIL BY ANNOUNCING EXPANDED BUS SERVICE
The timing of the government’s announcement about a beefed up bus service for Doncaster plus dedicated lanes in Hoddle Street and possibly Victoria Street has coincided with the Manningham’s campaign for a train service. See the Article from the Manningham Leader here.
2014-02 Doncaster Expanded Bus Service
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I think the Napthine press release, to increase bus numbers to Doncaster, will be the forerunner to the eventual abandonment of the proposed Doncaster railway, especially after the announcement of dedicated bus lanes along the entire Doncaster to City route.
By cutting the travelling time by approximately 8 minutes, it will probably be quicker, especially for commuters who would alight at one of the various stops within the CBD before the bus reaches its terminal opposite Spencer Street Station in Lonsdale Street.
According to Phase One of the Draft recommendations the only viable option would be a railway station at the Doncaster Park and Ride to be linked to the city via the freeway. This is by far the cheapest option because it would avoid tunnelling, however the line could only service two stations, Bulleen and Kew, before it joins the Hurstbridge line at Collingwood. It is hard to justify, in terms of patronage, with only the two railway stations along the 11.3 KM route to Collingwood station.
This latest study is one of ten that have been conducted including 1890, 1920, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2012. Unfortunately most of them have been conducted as a result of election campaign promises.
Finlayson