More than 80% of Melburnians will experience reduced travel times thanks to the Suburban Rail Loop, which will deliver shorter, faster and more reliable journeys for Victorians while slashing travel times across the state.
New travel time savings modelling for the first stage of this city shaping project has been released. Commuters from Clayton will be able to travel in 4 different directions with direct access to key education, health and jobs precincts.
The project will transform the way people commute right across Melbourne with new destinations and connections.
Stage 1 time savings
Stage 1 between Cheltenham and Box Hill will be delivered first, and public transport users in Melbourne’s south east will experience much faster journeys on the underground line, saving up to 1 hour on a one-way trip. Return trips to key destinations will be up to 2 hours faster.
Commuters from across Melbourne and Victoria will get faster connections to Deakin University in Burwood and Monash University in Clayton as they are connected to the train network for the first time.
The trains will take 3 to 4 minutes between stations, and a journey from Cheltenham to Box Hill will be just 22 minutes. Commuters from Cheltenham, will save between 40 minutes to 1 hour when travelling to either Monash, Glen Waverley or Burwood.
Travel times between Traralgon and Box Hill Hospital will be around 26 minutes faster – taking around 2.5 hours instead of 3 and making train travel times comparable to a car trip.
A trip from Lilydale to Monash University will be between 20 and 40 minutes quicker with a seamless interchange at Box Hill and a trip from Cranbourne to Deakin University will be cut by 20 to 40 one-way.
Easing traffic congestion
Encouraging more people to shift from their cars to public transport will also have a significant impact on traffic congestion with benefits for all road users, including freight services, trams and buses.
In the longer term as SRL is connected further north and west improved traffic flows on freeways and major arterial roads is projected to cut more than 5 minutes off a drive from Box Hill to the CBD in the morning peak.
Construction of Stage 1 will start in 2022 with the Initial and Early Works to create up to 800 direct early jobs. Planning and development, as well as community and stakeholder consultation is well underway.
You can visit the Engage Vic and have your say.