What anyone needs to be wary of in a political plan is that there will be some of the ribbon-cutting effect – covered in Riccardo’s excellent Training Track series.

I will go through all of the Train and Tram suggestions – comment are welcome – I am interested to see what other people’s views are on this.

Trains

Footscray to NM sextuplication

The only reason I would do this is for a set for the V/Lines to go down – not really necessary with the Bunbury St Tunnel, but I seem to remember that there is not enough room on the reservation for six tracks (if anyone is sure comment please)

Upfield redirected to Parkville and MC

A good idea. Has been discussed by Riccardo and Phin when EWLNA was coming out.

Doncaster – Parkville

A good way to link up Doncaster to the system as there is no more CBD room elsewhere.

South Yarra – Southern Cross

Segregating the Sandringham line is useful, and someone has put some thought as they recommend using the space under SC to terminate, but then again they also recommend a tunnel under the Yarra River – not the best idea

Rowville

Needed. No further comment

Doncaster

Another needed line to a suburb that struggles with public transport.

Airport via Essendon

I fully support a airport link, and this is certainly an option, but I wouldn’t call this the “most direct option” or the best option either. Phin has posted in detail about his rerouting of Upfield across Craigieburn to the airport, and I would support that route over this.

Epping to Mernda and Epping North

Nice to see that someone has the initiative to do these in the near future.

Sunshine – Broadmeadows via Albion – Jacana

I would rather keep this route to diesel only, as it is the only current non-spark path to the north of Victoria

Tarneit and Point Cook

I wonder if sueglossy works for the Greens? I don’t mind Tarneit, but I don’t think it is of the top priority. The Greens add as a sidenote Point Cook, but don’t mention the spur line needed, which could be a shuttle from Laverton if capacity wasn’t there (which it isn’t at current)

Mornington, Cranbourne E, Pakenham Lakes, Calder Park and Caroline Springs

All of these I would support sparking, but wouldn’t Sunbury and Ravenhall be better termini? Mornington I feel would be better as a shuttle, but a ‘connects with every 2nd train’, not a Stony Point.

Upfield – Craigieburn

Can’t be done. This section is controlled by ARTC, whose track is unsparkable as they want to investigate stacking on their tracks.

Belgrave, Lilydale, Hurstbridge, Altona duplication

I’m fine with Belgrave, Lilydale and Altona being duplicated, but I see no point in duplicating past Eltham.

Triplicate Ringwood – Box Hill

Triplication isn’t necessarily a good idea, even though Ringwood has the sidings for the peak directional trains that have nowhere to go. I would rather the money that would be spent on this go to quadding all the way to Box Hill, as then a good two tier service can be run.

Trams

Docklands – Fishy Bend – Port Melbourne

Certainly the Fisherman’s Bend area needs a tram and can easily get one by rerouting a Flinders St tram, but this is a seriously indirect route and the later part serves an area already well served by trams.

112 via Park St to Domain

This piece of work is certainly necessary, but I wouldn’t go with the Greens’ implied funneling into the Uni routes.

Southbank – Moorabbin via Kings Way and Nepean Hwy

I would keep Kings Way clear for cars, as there aren’t any places of patronage there that aren’t served by the St Kilda Rd routes, but doing the Nepean Hwy down to Moorabbin is a good idea.

Richmond – Southbank via Swan St, Alexandra Av and City Rd

This is a route that the Greens claim better serves the Southbank area, but Southbank is already served well by Flinders St, Uni trams (especially the 1) and the 55, 112, 96 and 109. Putting trams back on Swan St is something I would never do.

North Melbourne – North Richmond via Victoria Pde

Requires little work and would be a good investment.

North Melbourne – Brunswick via old Upfield line and 55

Fills in the gaps created by Upfield being rerouted to the Uni, and would be a useful shuttle, but I would stop it at Jewell.

Footscray – Docklands – SX

This is a missing link in our system, but I can’t see it having heavy patronage, as Footscray – SX is better served by trains, Docklands – SX is walking distance, so the only patronage is Footscray to Docklands passengers.

Caulfield – Heidelberg via Burke Rd

Discussed by phin, but Ivanhoe is a more suitable terminus as far as I am concerned.

Heidelberg – Essendon mainly via Bell St

Ambivalent. Could work, but I am not sure

Doncaster – Deakin Burwood via Tram Rd and Box Hill

I would prefer extending the Balwyn tram to Doncaster and then Box Hill to this.

Moonee Ponds – Clifton Hill via mainly Brunswick Rd

Again, it might work, although running it on Park St instead of Brunswick Rd seems a bit worthless

Carlton – Kew

Not sure that it is worth converting

Caulfield – Clayton

My preferred route for  Chadstone’s tram line is via the East Malvern tram.

75 to Ferntree Gully via Knox

I would probably only extend this to Knox.

Maribyrnong – Sunshine

I don’t really see the point in connecting Highpoint to Sunshine as Footscray is closer and once the 82 is rerouted to something like Phin’s plan, I can’t see why Sunshine would offer a better route.

Maribyrnong – East Keilor

I would do this.

Tram to Rail extensions

96 to Elsternwick – No – Illogical extension as far as I can see

6 to Ashburton – Yes

3 to East Malvern – Yes and to Chadstone

8 to Hartwell – Yes but poss. only to Tooronga

86 to South Morang – Yes but maybe too long a route?

112 to Reservoir – Yes

19 to Fawkner – Yes

55 to Glenroy – No – leave as is

What a long first post! As I said above, comments are more than welcome.

Calembeena