The Maroondah Leader has reported on the worsening overcrowding experienced on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines caused due to the State Government failing to improve service levels to cater to the large influx of patronage on Melbourne’s rail network.

Mr Makin, who lobbied the State Government to scrap Zone 3, said the move had placed more pressure on car parks and services at outer suburban stations, including Lilydale and Croydon.

“With Zone 3 gone, people are using their closest station instead of driving to Heatherdale for cheaper fares, so trains are overcrowded earlier,” Mr Makin said.

The State Government must respond to this patronage growth through improving the frequency of Melbourne’s rail network. In particular there is a need to introduce more frequent shoulder-peak services to help distribute peak hour demand, as well as shoulder-peak express services to improve the speed of train travel during these times. The State Government must become proactive in managing Melbourne’s rail system and reaffirm its intent to meet the goal of 20% modal share by the year 2020.