Passengers will be catching trains at Victoria’s newest train station in a matter of weeks, with Cobblebank Station set to open on Monday 2 December as the Ballarat Line Upgrade enters its final stages of construction.
The station opening will bring with it a new timetable including two extra peak services each day and new bus services for Melbourne’s booming outer west.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the new station was one of the key components of the half-a-billion-dollar project.
“We know communities in Melbourne’s outer west are growing at a rapid rate and the Ballarat Line Upgrade will provide more frequent and reliable services for passengers,” Senator Henderson said.
“The finish line for major construction on the Ballarat Line Upgrade is in sight, which means we’re one step closer to delivering huge benefits for passengers.”
Two new peak services – one morning and one afternoon – will be introduced on Monday 2 December for Melton, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park passengers when trains begin using the newly constructed 18km of duplicated track between Deer Park West and Melton.
New bus services will also start running from 2 December to and from Cobblebank Station and between the newly rebuilt Rockbank Station and nearby Aintree, with services every 40 minutes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the benefits of the Ballarat Line Upgrade would be delivered in stages, starting with the new station and new services for passengers in Melbourne’s west, followed by more services for the rest of the line in 2020.
“There’s still more work to be done before the end of the year but it’s really exciting to know this investment is coming to fruition and the benefits are being realised,” Mr McCormack said.
“In the leadup to the station opening and timetable change, a massive construction blitz will be undertaken along the Ballarat Line from Saturday 9 November to Sunday 1 December including signalling, laying of duplicated track and works at Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Cobblebank and Wendouree stations.
“The works blitz is critical to ensure major construction was complete on the project by the end of year.
“Commissioning work including driver training and safety testing will be undertaken to make sure the new Cobblebank Station and the 18-kilometre duplicated track are safe and ready to be used by trains.”
The new Cobblebank Station will be serviced by 285 trains each week and is a modern, accessible station featuring lifts, ramps, lighting and CCTV, as well as a car park with drop-off zone and secure bike storage.
To celebrate its opening, the community is invited to a family day at Cobblebank Station from 10am to 2pm on Sunday 1 December. Details are available at regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au.
Passengers can download a copy of their new timetable at ptv.vic.gov.au from Friday 1 November.
Following major construction completion on the Ballarat Line Upgrade, the commissioning and safety testing period will continue early next year to enable even more services to be introduced on the line.
Once completed, Ballarat line passengers will benefit from more peak services trains every 40 minutes off-peak, as well as more modern and accessible stations.
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has committed $502 million and the Victorian Government $55 million to the upgrade of the Ballarat Rail line as part of the jointly-funded $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program.
