The RACV has called on the State Government to introduce a fast speed rail link from the city to Melbourne airport Tullamarine.
RACV public transport manager Thanuja Gunatillake said it was important for the State Government to recognise the growing needs of Melbourne.
"Melbourne Airport would welcome a rail link" says airport spokeswoman. Picture courtesy of dok1969 via Flickr
“We definitely think a rapid rail link is essential for a city the size of Melbourne,” Ms Gunatillake said.
“It’s more a question of can we afford not to have a rail link in a city as large as Melbourne.”
In the 2009 Melbourne Airport Ground Transport Plan there is a specific mention of the “long-term initiative” of a rail link, and accessing it when it “becomes viable”.
Read the report on Melbourne Airports Transport Plans
But Ms Gunatillake said if a rail link was installed it would need to offer services beyond what is currently on offer.
“Simply putting in a train line that is going to take longer or as long as existing options, is not going to be successful,” she said.
Future plans
Melbourne Airport Media Manager Anna Gillett said they would work with the State Government to determine the most appropriate course of action.
“We would welcome a rail link to Melbourne Airport, we support a rail link and we welcome the government’s commitment to a feasibility study at the moment,” Ms Gillett said.
“We’re really happy to work with the State Government on finding the solution to find out where to put the rail link.”
Recently Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu committed to a rail link at Avalon Airport, ahead of Melbourne Airport.
The logistics and the cost of the project are major issues, but Ms Gillett said it was in the best interests of all Victorians to make it happen soon.
“At the moment we consider the priority to get people to and from Melbourne Airport, we think that’s a higher priority than those one million travelling to Avalon Airport.”
City Journalreporter Ben Guthrie took to the streets to find the quickest and cheapest way to the airport.
