Currently in the planning and pre-construction phase, the Victorian Government has announced, the Suburban Rail Loop will include a dedicated fleet of quick, high-tech trains.
The 90-kilometre rail ring will be built as a seperate line, meaning state-of-the-art systems from around the world can be used as the technology will not need to be retrofitted into the existing network.
Passengers will still be able to easily transfer across both networks, with the same ticketing system servicing up two 12 new stations connecting to the existing rail system.
Trains will be four to five carriages long and faster than the existing fleet. The decreased size will enable the trains to turn up more often and platforms will be shorter.
Pre-construction work on the Stage One route from Box Hill to Cheltenham is progressing with geotechnical drilling underway. Fourteen boreholes have already been dug, with close to 100 to be drilled by mid 2020.
The information collected will help determine the final alignment and station locations for the project, and how it will be built.
Premier Daniel Andrews says Victorian’s voted for the suburban rail loop and the government is progressing with it.
“This standalone line with purpose-built trains will fully integrate into our public transport network and deliver ‘turn-up-and-go’ services – better connecting people to jobs, education and each other.”
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