News

North East Rail

Labor's train plan takes local commuters for a ride

30 May 2016

Monday 30 May 2016

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan has slammed the Victorian Government's new train plan, describing it as a "stitch up".

"Labor MPs have taken local commuters for a ride," Ms Ryan said.          

"The plan contains no money for new trains or extra services. Labor has produced 12,000 sticky notes but not one new train.

"Jaclyn Symes told the community that this plan was going to deliver new trains for the north-east line.

"Government MPs talked it up as evidence of their commitment to country rail but it's now clear that it has been no more than a cynical ploy to defer investment in services."

Ms Ryan said it was inexcusable that Labor was spending $11 billion on a new train tunnel in Melbourne while refusing to address the needs of commuters on the Albury and Shepparton lines.

"We refused to agree to the sale of the lease of the Port of Melbourne until Labor set aside 10 per cent for transport and infrastructure projects in country Victoria.

"That money has presented a once in a lifetime opportunity to fix our train services.

"Under Daniel Andrews, it seems the further you are from Melbourne, the less you get."