By Chelsea Chen and Xinnan Wang
Journalism Interns from University of Melbourne
The Melton Station has opened to passengers providing new facilities for one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing areas.
While local passengers have welcomed the opening of the new station, attention is already turning to whether rail services will be able to keep pace with population growth in Melbourne’s west.
Melton student Pauline Aragon says she has to leave her house an hour earlier because of the current train service.
According to Aragon, more frequent train services could make travelling easier for students like her, while additional trains could provide extra seats for passengers.
“If you have more trains coming in here, it would be easier and more convenient for students like me,” she says.
The debate over rail capacity comes as the Victorian Liberal and Nationals have pledged $1.7 billion to deliver 25 new hybrid-electric trains for Melbourne’s west if elected in November.
LeadWest, an alliance representing five councils in Melbourne’s west, has welcomed the commitment saying more trains will provide more seats and more frequent services for passengers.
The organisation says passengers from Melton and Wyndham account for around 40 per cent of all V/Line boardings outside Southern Cross Station.
Locals are positive about the station upgrade itself. Melton resident Nixon visited the station after hearing it had opened and says he is pleased with the new facilities.
“We are happy to have such a good station, which is brand new.”
While major works on the station have been completed, smaller works will continue until early 2027. New facilities include lift and stair access to platforms 2, 3 and 4, a 16-metre-wide pedestrian link, and new myki ticket machines.
However, LeadWest says additional trains should be part of broader, long-term investment in rail infrastructure in Melbourne’s west.
The organisation called for the full delivery of the Western Rail Plan, including the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines, new stations at Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park, and further network upgrades.
LeadWest says the current network is increasingly expected to operate like a metropolitan suburban rail service, despite relying on V/Line services designed for regional travel.
“More trains are welcome. Now we need the infrastructure to make sure Melbourne’s West can keep moving,” LeadWest chair Cr Susan Yengi said in a statement.
With the new Melton Station now open, the question is whether rail services and infrastructure can keep pace with rapid population growth in Melbourne’s west.
