Delays mark progress

I WRITE in response to Janice Bateman’s letter regarding public transport.
Ms Bateman discusses delays to the train service due to necessary works, which she says are a deterrent to using the train system.
Personally, I am glad to have these delays for important rail infrastructure upgrades, as the end result is an improved rail service.
Janice, is a well known supporter, if not a member, of the Liberal Party, and I would expect that she would always reinforce the Liberal position on public transport.
A brief outline of the Liberal policy on public transport was contained in Ken Smith’s Community Update, where he discusses getting public transport back on track. When Mr Smith’s Liberals were last in power, the government almost got public transport off the tracks.
During the period of the last Liberal government, you may remember that we had no boom gates between Pakenham and Bunyip, the track was in poor condition, station buildings were removed from Bunyip, Garfield and Tynong stations and the Leongatha and Wonthaggi lines were shut down. The rail system was virtually left to deteriorate.
Since Labor took office we have seen significant investment in rail services in Gippsland.
We now have boom gates on every crossing, new rolling stock, more services, new shelter facilities on all stations and upgraded car parks. The tracks are new, as are the sleepers and Bunyip even has a new station. It does take time to upgrade an operationaI train line as there is a limited window for crews to work safely and it is not surprising that there will be delays during construction. Despite the delays, I think the end result has been well worth it.
John Anderson,
Bunyip.