The Public Transport Association of Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s formal commitment to the Melton Electrification project, hailing it as a transformative milestone for Melbourne’s western suburbs.

As the fastest-growing corridor in Australia, the west requires high-capacity, sustainable and frequent transport links to keep pace with record population growth. The transition from diesel-hauled regional trains to a fully electrified metropolitan service will significantly increase passenger capacity, reduce travel times, and provide a more reliable turn-up-and-go service for thousands of daily commuters.

Lauren Streifer, Chief Executive of PTAANZ, said: “The commitment to the Melton Electrification is a massive win for the people of Melbourne’s west. For too long, this rapidly expanding community has relied on regional services that were never designed to handle metropolitan-level demand. By integrating Melton into the electrified metropolitan network, we are ensuring that residents have the same access to jobs, education and services as the rest of the city.”

PTAANZ highlights that without significant investment in electrification and the removal of level crossings, the existing rail infrastructure would face critical bottlenecks within the decade.

Ms Streifer added: “Electrification is the gold standard for sustainable urban transport. It allows for longer, cleaner and more frequent trains, which is exactly what a high-growth corridor like Melton needs to remain liveable and connected.”

PTAANZ looks forward to working with the Victorian Government and industry partners to ensure the delivery of this project meets the highest standards of passenger experience and operational excellence.