- Minister for Public Transport
It's been one year since the Andrews Labor Government returned rail services to Mernda, with passengers making more than 1.8 million trips on the line in 12 months.
The Mernda line extension opening marked the return of the first passenger train to Mernda in almost 60 years, since the last diesel train ran to Whittlesea in 1959.
Passengers now have 982 train services every week to choose from, and new connecting bus services at each new station, with today also marking the 1-year anniversary of the revamped Plenty Valley bus network.
The network connects passengers from Doreen, Whittlesea, Bundoora RMIT, South Morang, Kinglake, Yan Yean, Yarrambat and other communities with Mernda Rail.
On an average weekday, there are more than 4,000 trips on Plenty Valley bus network routes that go to Mernda Station, keeping cars off local roads, and getting people where they need to go.
Cycling to train stations, on newly constructed paths is also proving popular with close to 1000 people using the bike storage facilities at South Morang and the three new stations, with almost 400 of those at Mernda.
The Labor Government's $600 million extension of the South Morang line to Mernda included eight kilometres of new rail line and three new stations; Middle Gorge, Hawkstowe and Mernda.
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
"We said we'd do it, and we did, delivering Mernda Rail six months ahead of schedule for the whole community to use."
"More than 600,000 passengers have used Mernda Station in the last year, taking thousands of cars off the road every day."
As noted by Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green
"The Mernda rail line opens up so many opportunities for Melbourne's north, connecting people to employment and education, entertainment, leisure and recreation."
As noted by Member for Mill Park Lily D'Ambrosio
"The Mernda line has changed the way so many people in our region live their lives, making it easier than ever to get into city."
