Today, the federal and state governments have announced a joint $152.7 million investment into the busy Melton Line. Split equally, this funding will bring the electrification of the Melton Line one step closer to reality, with the money used to finalise the designs and preparation works. The electrification of this busy line would allow for more services, connecting Melton to the rest of the metropolitan rail network. It would stop passengers in Melton from squeezing onto the Ballarat line, and allow V/Line trains to be redeployed to other high-demand routes.
Melton Line upgrades
Works are already underway for upgrades on the Melton Line, with Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 works creating space at Sunshine for the electrified track.
A new stabling yard is also being built in Cobblebank. Located east of Melton Station, this stabling yard will allow longer trains to run on the Melton Line next year. Longer, nine-car VLocity trains will run on the Melton Line from 2027, boosting capacity by 50% during peak services. This stabling yard will also be future-proofed, with space to house metropolitan trains in the future. When the Melton Line is electrified, high-capacity Metro trains will be able to run from Melton to Southern Cross.
A new Melton Station will also open later this year, featuring four platforms. Two of these will be extended platforms, so that passengers will be able to use the nine-car trains. Platforms at Caroline Springs and Deer Park stations have already been extended, and platforms at Rockbank and Cobblebank will be extended this year.
“From 2027, modern and accessible nine-car VLocity trains will be running, one year ahead of schedule, paving the way for the future electrification project,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.
Electrification on the way
Meanwhile, this new round of funding will progress development works, such as site investigations, environmental assessments and planning approvals. It will also look into securing a power supply for the future electrified line, as well as work on detailed design and costing with delivery partners.
Development works are expected to begin this year, and are set to be complete in mid-2027. This phase of work will inform future funding decisions for the electrification project.
While it is unclear when exactly the Melton Line will be electrified, it will rely largely on the Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 works in Sunshine. Over six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion need to be upgraded, which will increase capacity along this busy rail corridor, and pave the way for the Melton Line electrification.
To read more about this project, click here.