IT is pleasing to read in the Bendigo Advertiser that the concept for an intra-city rail service, dubbed Bendigo Metro by the government, has finally received bipartisan support after an almost-decade-long conversation to propel our city to national leadership in better managing 21st transportation needs ("'Good sense' in Bendigo Metro plans", March 24).
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The conversation that triggered the re-opening of the Kangaroo Flat railway station in 2008 grew to advocacy for more services at Eaglehawk and a new station in Epsom.
These stations will provide a good basis for development of the new rail service without detriment to existing services on the lines.
Epsom has the car-parking spots, in fact many more than currently available at Kangaroo Flat, it just needs more services.
There have been anecdotal reports in recent years of increasing numbers of passengers heading to a suburban station and making the trip into the CBD in less time than a bus journey.
It is to be hoped that in planning the new intra-city service timetable, genuine suburban transport hubs are developed to reduce CBD bus congestion and encourage growth in short-journey train travel, at the same time spurring further economic development in the suburbs.
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