Regional Rail Link project

File:Footscray Railway Station platforms 1 & 2.jpg in May 2014]]

File:West Footscray Railway Station.jpg in May 2014]]

File:Sunshine Station platforms 3 & 4.jpg in May 2014]]

File: Tarneit Railway Station.jpg before opening in June 2015]]

File: Wyndham Vale Railway Station.jpg before opening in June 2015]]

Following the rail infrastructure improvements provided by the Regional Fast Rail project, and subsequent growth in passengers and services, there was an increase in congestion in the Melbourne suburban area, where trains operated by V/Line shared tracks with Metro Trains Melbourne suburban trains, caused increasing delays on rail services.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/regional-rail-travel-booming-despite-delays-20090605-byld.html|title=Regional rail travel booming, despite delays|accessdate=2009-06-19|work=The Age|author=Jason Dowling & Natalie Puchalski|date=6 June 2009|archive-date=16 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116074543/http://www.theage.com.au/national/regional-rail-travel-booming-despite-delays-20090605-byld.html|url-status=live}} Late running by V/Line or metropolitan rail services affected the reliability of other trains, and V/Line trains, running express through most suburban stations, limited the frequency, and affected the timekeeping, of stopping suburban trains. After major disruptions each operator might blame the other for causing the problem.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/peakhour-rail-delays-after-fuel-spill-20090511-b0cm.html|title=Geelong, V/Line Connex rail delays after fuel spill|accessdate=2009-06-19|work=The Age|author=Mex Cooper|date=11 May 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=27 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627112127/http://www.theage.com.au/national/peakhour-rail-delays-after-fuel-spill-20090511-b0cm.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-train-commuters-warned-of-more-delays-20090114-7glf.html|title=Melbourne train commuters warned of more delays|author=Mex Cooper|work=The Age|date=14 January 2009|accessdate=2009-06-19|archive-date=15 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115174210/http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-train-commuters-warned-of-more-delays-20090114-7glf.html|url-status=live}}

A separate line for regional trains between Geelong and Melbourne, then called the "Tarneit Link", was included as a possible long-term rail option in the Bracks government's 2006 Meeting Our Transport Challenges report. Costed at around $500 million, the link was also recommended in Rod Eddington's East-West Link Needs Assessment study, released in April 2008.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/west-may-get-new-rail-line/2008/03/28/1206207412946.html?s_cid=rss_news|title=West may get new rail line|work=The Age|accessdate=2009-06-19|author=Royce Millar & Clay Lucas|date=29 March 2008|location=Melbourne|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103103614/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/west-may-get-new-rail-line/2008/03/28/1206207412946.html?s_cid=rss_news|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/planningprojects.nsf/AllDocs/E195C22162760C83CA2571ED0080D1E5?OpenDocument|title=Fact sheet - Recommendations|work=East West Links Needs Assessment final report|author=Rod Eddington|date=March 2008|publisher=transport.vic.gov.au|accessdate=2009-06-19|archive-date=25 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625215849/http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/planningprojects.nsf/AllDocs/E195C22162760C83CA2571ED0080D1E5?OpenDocument|url-status=live}} By November 2008 the link between Deer Park and West Werribee was estimated to cost $1.5 billion.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/planned-15bn-rail-link-will-free-up-bottlenecks-20081102-5gan.html|title=Planned $1.5bn rail link will free up bottlenecks|work=The Age|author=Clay Lucas|date=3 November 2008|accessdate=2009-06-19|location=Melbourne|archive-date=19 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519214552/http://www.theage.com.au/national/planned-15bn-rail-link-will-free-up-bottlenecks-20081102-5gan.html|url-status=live}}

The project was expanded and re-branded as the Regional Rail Link when announced as part of the Brumby Government's Victorian Transport Plan of December 2008.[http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/5608.html Regional Rail Link to Streamline Train Services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409223037/http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/5608.html |date=9 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 8 December 2008 With a revised aim of separating all regional trains between Southern Cross and Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo, from suburban rail movements, the proposed route was from Southern Cross through Sunshine and Tarneit to West Werribee.

In May 2009 the project reached full funding, gaining the required allocation of $3.2 billion from the 2009 Federal budget, adding to funds to be provided by the Victorian Government.[http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/6855.html Regional Rail Work to Start this Year after $4 Billion Project Secures Federal Funding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409223028/http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/6855.html |date=9 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 14 May 2009{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/tough-decisions-necessary-pm-20090518-bb1b.html|title=Tough decisions necessary: PM|accessdate=2009-06-19|work=The Age|author=Mex Cooper|date=18 May 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=5 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505145038/https://www.theage.com.au/national/tough-decisions-necessary-pm-20090518-bb1b.html|url-status=live}}

Several route options were investigated. One proposal involved the acquisition of up to 49 properties in Railway Place, Footscray to widen the existing railway corridor, and local residents launched a campaign against that proposal in May 2010.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} Other options floated were the sharing of tracks with freight trains in the existing Bunbury Street tunnel, or the construction of a second rail tunnel under Footscray{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-plan-with-at-least-one-obstacle-footscray-20100506-ugz1.html|title=Rail plan with at least one obstacle: Footscray|work=The Age|date=7 May 2010|author=Clay Lucas|accessdate=2010-05-07|location=Melbourne|archive-date=9 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509053941/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-plan-with-at-least-one-obstacle-footscray-20100506-ugz1.html|url-status=live}} A preliminary route between Sunshine and Werribee was released for public consultation in June 2009.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-line-and-ring-road-routes-to-be-unveiled-20090615-caro.html|title=New train line and ring road routes to be unveiled|work=The Age|author=Clay Lucas|date=16 June 2009|accessdate=2009-06-19|location=Melbourne|archive-date=18 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618135459/http://www.theage.com.au/national/new-train-line-and-ring-road-routes-to-be-unveiled-20090615-caro.html|url-status=live}}[http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/7273.html Proposed Route of Regional Rail Link Revealed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409223023/http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/7273.html |date=9 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 17 June 2009

In July 2010, the final route through Footscray was announced by the state government.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/houses-to-go-for-new-regional-rail-link-20100712-107b1.html|date=12 July 2010|title=Houses to go for new regional rail link|work=The Age|accessdate=2010-07-16|location=Melbourne|archive-date=15 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715050632/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/houses-to-go-for-new-regional-rail-link-20100712-107b1.html|url-status=live}} Heading away from Melbourne, the pair of Regional Rail Link tracks run south of the current four suburban tracks until after the line has crossed the Maribyrnong River, where a new bridge was built. After crossing the river, the line passes over the top of the Newport bound suburban tracks on a flyover, and then runs between each pair of suburban tracks to Footscray station. At Footscray the line uses the existing platforms 1 and 2 (since renumbered 3 and 4), and then run on resumed land to the south of the suburban line to Sunshine, past Middle Footscray and West Footscray stations. Suburban trains towards Sunshine use the existing tracks except at Footscray, where two new platforms were built north of the four existing platforms.

To accommodate the final route, 26 homes and 84 businesses on Buckley Street, Footscray were acquired.{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/footscray-residents-slam-plans-to-acquire-homes-for-transport-upgrade/story-e6frf7kx-1225892363147|title=Footscray residents slam plans to acquire homes for transport upgrade|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=2010-07-16}} Many residents did not find out their homes were to be acquired until told by journalists, waiting up to 24 hours for official notification from Department of Transport representatives.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-demolition-footscray-residents-fume-over-notification-blunder-20100713-108og.html|title=Rail demolition: Footscray residents fume over notification blunder|work=The Age|author=Robyn Grace|date=13 July 2010|accessdate=2010-07-16|location=Melbourne|archive-date=16 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716172112/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-demolition-footscray-residents-fume-over-notification-blunder-20100713-108og.html|url-status=live}} A Government spokeswoman said "every effort" had been made to contact the households affected, but bureaucrats had abandoned their planned visit to deliver the bad news because they did not want to be filmed by the media.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/residents-not-told-their-homes-will-go-20100712-107w1.html|title=Residents not told their homes will go|work=The Age|author=Clay Lucas|date=13 July 2010|accessdate=2010-07-16|location=Melbourne|archive-date=15 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715052009/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/residents-not-told-their-homes-will-go-20100712-107w1.html|url-status=live}} The proposals would also have acquired {{convert|136|m²}} of the heritage listed HV McKay Memorial Gardens, (Australia's oldest remaining industrial garden) as part of a grade separation along Anderson Road in Sunshine;{{cite news|newspaper=Star Community|url=http://starcommunity.com.au/star/2012-02-14/no-opportunity/|title=No Opportunity|author=Laura Wakely|accessdate=27 April 2015|date=14 February 2012|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505124356/http://starcommunity.com.au/star/2012-02-14/no-opportunity/|url-status=live}} after community resistance and lobbying by Brimbank City Council, plans were altered to reduce the acquisition of the gardens to approximately {{convert|5|m²}}.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

In February 2011, the incoming Baillieu government announced the project was under review, citing poor planning and a blow-out in costs. After the review, the Baillieu government estimated the price tag for the line to be $880 million more than stated by the outgoing Brumby government.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fears-review-of-rail-link-scandal-may-be-tainted-20110212-1are3.html|location=Melbourne|work=The Age|first=Deborah|last=Gough|title=Fears review of rail link scandal may be tainted|date=13 February 2011|access-date=12 February 2011|archive-date=14 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214190020/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fears-review-of-rail-link-scandal-may-be-tainted-20110212-1are3.html|url-status=live}} In November 2011, the secretary of the Victorian Department of Transport, Jim Betts, admitted that the lack of a mature plan, and the urgency of spending the money provided by the federal government as part of its economic stimulus package,{{cite news|title=Brumby rapt at $3bn boost for rail link|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/brumby-rapt-at-3bn-boost-for-rail-link-20090512-b2bv|accessdate=2015-08-25|work=The Age|date=2009-05-13}} meant that there had been a rush to finalise the financial arrangements of the scheme. He commented that "the budget for that project was basically haggled over between the state and the commonwealth one weekend and we end up with a number written on the back of an envelope".{{Cite news|url=http://afr.com/p/national/vic_project_railroaded_QH38spqPZaW4ocuDI2eAsN|title=Vic project railroaded|author=Jason Murphy|work=Australian Financial Review|date=2011-11-16|accessdate=2012-07-24}}

File:Southern Cross Platform 15 16 Concourse.JPG platforms 15 & 16 northern concourse entrance in December 2013]]

Construction commenced in August 2009.[http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/7951.html Construction Starts on the $4.3 Billion Regional Rail Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409223017/http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/7951.html |date=9 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 27 August 2009 The works were divided into seven packages: an overall railway signalling and control systems contract, and six sections of track:

• signalling and control: consortium of UGL & Manidis Roberts[https://web.archive.org/web/20120705022717/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/rail-systems Rail Systems] Regional Rail Link
• Southern Cross station platforms 15 & 16: (overseen by Metro Trains Melbourne)[https://web.archive.org/web/20120604054232/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/southern-cross-station Southern Cross] Regional Rail Link
• Southern Cross station to Maribyrnong River (4.75 km): consortium of John Holland, Abigroup, Coleman Rail, AECOM & GHD[http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3892-new-contract-moves-regional-rail-link-into-high-gear.html New contract moves Regional Rail Link into high gear] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420054908/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3892-new-contract-moves-regional-rail-link-into-high-gear.html |date=20 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 12 May 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20120604034226/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/city-maribyrnong-river City - Maribyrnong River] Regional Rail Link
• Maribyrnong River to West Footscray station (2.35 km):
• West Footscray to Deer Park West (13.4 km): consortium of Balfour Beatty, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Sinclair Knight Merz & Thiess[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019055225/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/footscray-deer-park Footscray - Deer Park] Regional Rail Link
• Deer Park West to West Werribee Junction (25.5 km as a design and construct contract): Baulderstone & Leighton Contractors joint venture[https://web.archive.org/web/20120604055055/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/deer-park-to-west-werribee Deer Park - West Werribee Junction] Regional Rail Link
• West Werribee Junction / Geelong Line interchange (approximately 1.5 km): Leighton Contractors & Downer EDI joint venture.[http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/4130-full-steam-ahead-on-the-regional-rail-link.html Full steam ahead on the Regional Rail Link Premier of Victoria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420054902/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/4130-full-steam-ahead-on-the-regional-rail-link.html |date=20 April 2013 }} 8 June 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20120604054801/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/west-werribee-junction West Werribee Junction] Regional Rail Link

• 2 July 2011: Construction begins, with the shifting of existing railway tracks between Sunshine and Tottenham{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/commuters-face-snarls-as-53bn-rail-project-digs-in-20110703-1gxcb.html|location=Melbourne|work=The Age|title=Commuters face snarls as $5.3bn rail project digs in|date=4 July 2011|access-date=6 July 2011|archive-date=6 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706205425/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/commuters-face-snarls-as-53bn-rail-project-digs-in-20110703-1gxcb.html|url-status=live}}[http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/961-regional-rail-link-works-to-kick-off-in-july.html Regional Rail Link works to kick off in July] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420054953/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/961-regional-rail-link-works-to-kick-off-in-july.html |date=20 April 2013 }} Premier of Victoria 17 May 2011
• 18 July 2011: Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines re-open after being closed for 2 weeks during the Victorian School Holidays to allow construction of the RRL
• Early 2013: fitout of platforms 15/16 at Southern Cross completed
• 14 October 2013: Rebuilt West Footscray Station opened
• 22 December 2013: platforms 15/16 at Southern Cross and approximately 5 kilometres of track from South Kensington opened[https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014618/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/southern-cross-station/platforms-15-and-16 Platforms 15 and 16] Regional Rail Link
• 20 January 2014: new platforms 1/2 opened at Footscray
• 28 April 2014: new platforms 3/4 opened at Sunshine"Ballarat services now stopping at new, dedicated platforms at Sunshine station" Railway Digest June 2014 page 21
• 16 July 2014: commissioning of the new dedicated V/line tracks between South Kensington and Sunshine
• 16 July 2014: new platforms 3/4 at Footscray opened
• 6 October 2014: first test train operated on the new line via Tarneit{{cite news |url=http://railgallery.wongm.com/rrl-test-trains/rrl-first-test-train-6-october-2014.jpg.html |location=Melbourne |work=Wongm's Rail Gallery |title=First RRL test train was an N class light engine for signal sighting trials |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=5 May 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094346/http://railgallery.wongm.com/rrl-test-trains/rrl-first-test-train-6-october-2014.jpg.html |url-status=live }}
• 19 April 2015: originally scheduled opening of the new route and stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, but delayed due to a lack of V/Line trains{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/andrews-government-delays-regional-rail-link-opening-by-two-months-20150219-13jpb3.html|location=Melbourne|work=The Age|title=Andrews government delays Regional Rail Link opening by two months|date=20 February 2015|access-date=5 May 2015|archive-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220194033/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/andrews-government-delays-regional-rail-link-opening-by-two-months-20150219-13jpb3.html|url-status=live}}
• 21 June 2015: completion including opening of Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations.[http://www.vline.com.au/about/news/mediareleases/59338869/Article.aspx Geelong and Warrnambool trains to run via Regional Rail Link from 21 June 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329024642/http://www.vline.com.au/about/news/mediareleases/59338869/Article.aspx |date=29 March 2015 }} V/Line

In May 2010, the estimated cost was $4.3 billion, and economic benefits were estimated to be $6.2 billion.{{Cite news|last=Lucas|first=Clay|title=Cost won't put a stop to freeway: Brumby|work=The Age|date=22 May 2010|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/cost-wont-put-a-stop-to-freeway-brumby-20100521-w1n5.html|location=Melbourne|access-date=22 May 2010|archive-date=23 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523082151/http://www.theage.com.au/national/cost-wont-put-a-stop-to-freeway-brumby-20100521-w1n5.html|url-status=live}}

In April 2011 the incoming Baillieu government stated it would cost closer to $5 billion and take two years longer to build.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-link-delay-as-bill-nears-5bn-20110404-1cypw.html|location=Melbourne|work=The Age|title=Rail link delay as bill nears $5bn|date=5 April 2011|access-date=4 April 2011|archive-date=6 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406232041/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-link-delay-as-bill-nears-5bn-20110404-1cypw.html|url-status=live}} In July 2011 the cost was estimated at $5.3 billion with a completion date of 2016.

In the 2015/16 State Budget the final cost of the project was given as $3.65 billion, down from the previous estimate of $4.1 billion.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/relief-from-commuter-crush-years-away-despite-billions-in-budget-20150505-ggujvm.html?stb=twt |location=Melbourne |work=The Age |title=Relief from commuter crush years away despite billions in budget |date=5 May 2015}}

Before the project opened in June 2015, the PTV promotional pamphlet for the regional rail link stating a cost of $3.9 billion for the project.

However, the final cost of property acquisitions related to the project will not be fully known until December 2018, so this cost estimate may increase.{{Cite web|url=https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/assessing-benefits-regional-rail-link-project|title=Assessing Benefits from the Regional Rail Link Project|access-date=22 July 2018|archive-date=22 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722100025/https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/assessing-benefits-regional-rail-link-project|url-status=live}}

All passenger trains on the Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong lines use the Regional Rail Link from Sunshine to Melbourne, solving a significant part of the capacity problem, and the conflicts encountered when those services share tracks with metropolitan trains.{{Cite news|title=Melbourne's Big Squeeze|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbournes-big-squeeze-20090320-94h8.html|work=The Age|date=21 March 2009|accessdate=2009-05-15|first=Clay|last=Lucas|archive-date=20 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520030940/http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbournes-big-squeeze-20090320-94h8.html|url-status=live}} The link allows more regional and metropolitan trains to run, which, combined with the purchase of new rolling stock,{{Cite web|title=Bombardier Awarded Contract for a Further 32 DMU Cars for V/Line Passenger in Australia|url=http://www.bombardier.com/en/corporate/media-centre/press-releases/details?docID=0901260d80084243|publisher=Bombardier|accessdate=2012-12-16|archive-date=12 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612011344/http://www.bombardier.com/en/corporate/media-centre/press-releases/details?docID=0901260d80084243|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Coalition Orders 40 New Carriages for V/Line|url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/5481-coalition-orders-40-new-carriages-for-vline.html|publisher=Department of Transport|date=26 November 2012|accessdate=2012-12-16|archive-date=28 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228121119/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/5481-coalition-orders-40-new-carriages-for-vline.html|url-status=live}} has helped provide additional peak hour passenger capacity on regional services, particularly those from Geelong and Ballarat, and freed up capacity on Melbourne suburban tracks to allow more trains to run.

However, far from providing a bypass of the suburban network for Geelong line trains, those services have become suburban trains on the Tarneit section of the RRL, being the only ones which can serve those stations. Tarneit station rapidly became the second busiest on the V/Line network after Southern Cross.{{cite news |title=Express call for Tarneit West |url=http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/express-call-for-tarneit-west/ |accessdate=2018-09-16 |work=Star Weekly |date=2018-05-01 |archive-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916164105/http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/express-call-for-tarneit-west/ |url-status=live }} That has worsened the chronic overcrowding on peak-hour Geelong trains, as well as slowing of journey times.{{cite news|last1=Lucas|first1=Clay|title=$4.3b link won't cut travel times|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/43b-link-wont-cut-travel-times-20100614-ya7g.html|accessdate=2017-07-06|work=The Age|date=2010-06-15|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105224425/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/43b-link-wont-cut-travel-times-20100614-ya7g.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Users ask the government how much slower the new rail link to Geelong will be|url=http://www.ptua.org.au/2009/07/19/geelong-how-much-slower/|work=Public Transport Users Association|accessdate=25 January 2014|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231024/http://www.ptua.org.au/2009/07/19/geelong-how-much-slower/|url-status=live}} As a result, there have been calls for the other three planned stations on the Tarneit section of the RRL to be constructed.

As part of the project, the partially-built platforms 15 and 16 at Southern Cross station were completed, which increased the number of trains the station can handle. However, no platforms were provided for RRL trains at North Melbourne station, which had been a major interchange point for regional passengers using northern suburban and City Loop trains, as well as the recently introduced Route 401 bus from North Melbourne to the hospital and university precincts. No reason was given for that decision, and after the RRL opened, passengers wanting to get to North Melbourne had to alight at Footscray or Southern Cross stations and catch another train.

Controversy emerged with the release of reports from the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) which criticised the methodology and results contained in assessments submitted by the RRL team to former state planning minister, Justin Madden, as part of the project planning referral. EPA reports state, "in Footscray, for the most exposed residents, a vast majority of the population will experience chronic noise-induced sleep disturbance, with very significant proportions highly disturbed... For the most exposed residents in other areas, almost half the community will experience chronic noise-induced sleep disturbance." The reports also raised concerns about the Footscray Park Railway Reserve where, EPA predicted, the public would be exposed to dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide from increased diesel train traffic. EPA noted that planned risk assessments had not been done by the Department of Transport.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/residents-face-lost-sleep-over-rail-project-20110205-1ahsy.html|title=Residents face lost sleep over rail project|series=The Sunday Age|author=Deborah Gough & Melissa Fyfe|date=6 February 2011|work=The Age|location=Melbourne|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=12 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312035718/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/residents-face-lost-sleep-over-rail-project-20110205-1ahsy.html|url-status=live}} Madden had viewed EPA reports in September 2010, but ruled that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) was not required for Section-1 of the RRL project.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment/major-transport-projects/regional-rail-link-1|title=Reasons for Decision Under Environmental Effects Act 1978 : Regional Rail Link 1 – Moonee Ponds Creek to Deer Park|work=Department of Planning and Community Development|author=Minister for Planning|date=7 October 2010|publisher=DPCD|access-date=3 March 2011|archive-date=28 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228221757/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment/major-transport-projects/regional-rail-link-1|url-status=live}}

{{Routemap

|title=Regional Rail Link

|float=none

|title-bg=#AB53AC

|map=

uKBHFa\KBHFa\~~0 km~~Southern Cross (SSS)~~ ~~Zone 1

uSTR\STR\

uSTR\STR\

uSTR\BHF\~~6.1 km~~Footscray (FSY)~~ ~~Zone 1

uSTR\STR\

uSTR\BHF\~~13.5 km~~Sunshine (SUN)~~ ~~Zone 1 & 2

uSTRr\STR\~~Standard Gauge to Albury

LSTRq\ABZgr\~~Sunbury/Bendigo/Swan Hill/Echuca lines

\HST\~~15.02 km~~Ardeer (APR)~~ ~~Zone 2

\HST\~~20.82 km~~Deer Park (DEK)~~ ~~Zone 2

LSTRq\ABZgr\~~Ballarat/Ararat/Melton lines

\STR\

\BHF\~~ ~~Tarneit (TNT)~~ ~~Zone 2

\BHF\~~ ~~Wyndham Vale (WVL)~~ ~~Zone 2

uSTRr\STR\~~Western line

\STR\

LSTRq\ABZqr\LSTRq~~← Geelong line →}}

Despite the immediate advantage to commuters in the Wyndham Vale and Tarneit areas, there has been some disappointment regarding the irregular spacing of services at these stations.

Ballarat line passengers have been particularly upset about their services since the full opening of the RRL. Due to a rolling stock shortage, some Ballarat trains had fewer carriages than before, and timekeeping of services worsened, despite the promise of greater reliability after the RRL opened.{{cite news|last1=Schetzer|first1=Alana|title=Ballarat train commuters suffer after Regional Rail Link opens|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ballarat-train-commuters-suffer-after-regional-rail-link-opens-20150708-gi7i3e.html|accessdate=2015-08-26|work=The Age|date=2015-08-08|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210074627/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ballarat-train-commuters-suffer-after-regional-rail-link-opens-20150708-gi7i3e.html|url-status=live}}

Following the opening of the Regional Rail Link, V/Line trains on the Ballarat line failed to meet punctuality targets for 14 consecutive months.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vline.com.au/About-V-Line/Additional-pages/Past-performance|title=Past performance|access-date=9 August 2016|archive-date=13 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813113137/https://www.vline.com.au/About-V-Line/Additional-pages/Past-performance|url-status=live}}

Despite Allen Garner, former CEO and COO of the Regional Rail Link Authority, saying there were "no new level crossings" along the whole Regional Rail Link route, three were left in place along the former Serviceton line in Deer Park, which Geelong line trains now travel on. The extra services introduced as a result of RRL meant the crossing gates were down for longer, which heavily increased traffic in the area and drew criticism from residents and lobby groups. However, when the Andrews government revised their 2014 election commitment of removing 50 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings to include a further 25 level crossings at the 2018 state election, all 3 of them got included in the Level Crossing Removal Project and were removed in 2022 and 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/new-regional-rail-link-timetable-creating-traffic-nightmare-at-level-crossing/news-story/8d29c8fcb3935162f66400ac3c85767e|title=Solution needed to curb traffic woes at crossing|date=23 August 2015|access-date=29 June 2019|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629051901/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/new-regional-rail-link-timetable-creating-traffic-nightmare-at-level-crossing/news-story/8d29c8fcb3935162f66400ac3c85767e|url-status=live}}

In January 2016, V/Line suddenly withdrew half of its V/locity fleet due to wheel wear issues. The lack of rolling stock meant passengers were forced to use buses and the government ended up having to give passengers a whole month of free travel. An independent report done into the wheel wear issues found the major cause of the problem was tight curves on the RRL route, particularly on the North Melbourne flyover (NMFO), which was upgraded as part of RRL as a means of allowing V/line trains to travel through North Melbourne on a separate route to Metro trains{{Cite web|url = https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/vline-woes-continue-with-poor-january-report-with-more-than-one-in-10-services-cancelled/news-story/11fff06097fd8e85f1ab2c103d9630c4|title = V/Line woes continue with poor report|date = 11 February 2016|access-date = 29 June 2019|archive-date = 12 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160212123201/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/vline-woes-continue-with-poor-january-report-with-more-than-one-in-10-services-cancelled/news-story/11fff06097fd8e85f1ab2c103d9630c4|url-status = live}}

In May 2018, the Victorian Auditor-General completed an audit on the Regional Rail Link, titled "Assessing Benefits from the Regional Rail Link Project"

While acknowledging that the project has had significant benefits, some of them unexpected, the Auditor-General slammed the State Government's of the time, the former Victorian Department of Transport and the Regional Rail Link Authority for its mismanagement of the project, particularly in the planning stages.

He noted that the lack of any formal business case for the project made it extremely difficult to determine just what the benefits of the project were meant to be, and whether or not the RRL had lived up to the expectations set for it when the project was funded in 2009. He also said that planners had not adequately predicted how many people would use the RRL after its opening, and that the lines designed maximum capacity of 18 trains per-hour would make it difficult to add the number of services which will be required in the future.

• Southern Sydney Freight Line – a similar project in Sydney separating suburban and freight services
• Regional Fast Rail project - a prior project aimed at improving regional rail services across Victoria
• Regional Rail Revival - a subsequent program to upgrade regional railway lines across Victoria

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150816154329/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/ Project page (August 2015)]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZscQtUJ9YFc YouTube video overview of works Public Transport Victoria]

{{MelbournePublicTransport}}

Category:Rail transport in Victoria (state)

Category:Railway lines in Victoria (state)

Category:V/Line rail services

Category:2015 establishments in Australia

Category:5 ft 3 in gauge railways in Australia