[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Stratford is very close to the decent sized town of Maffra [/font][/size][/color][i][color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]plus[/font][/size][/color][/i][color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,] it's the only stop on the very long stretch between Sale and Bairnsdale, [/font][/size][/color][i][color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]plus[/font][/size][/color][/i][color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,] trains already have to slow down to walking pace for the high rickety bridge[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI, Segoe UI, Segoe, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=2]1. While Sale isn't closer to Maffra, it is closer overall to Melbourne, so its argueably preferable to go there.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI, Segoe UI, Segoe, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=2]2. Because its not like a train has toilets, water fountains, and in some cases, a cafe bar.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI, Segoe UI, Segoe, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=2]3. Isn't the bridge getting an upgrade though? Or is that a different one?[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]That said, once the last classes have concluded at Deakin - Sherwood Park in a months time, I wouldn't object to Stooge running a dozer through the place.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]And I am happy that you don't object.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Wandong/Heathcote Junction. Both stations are very sub-standard from an infrastructure and passenger amenities perspective. Both have an accessibility problem with the adjoining standard gauge track and the sensible thing to do is close both and resite a new Wandong station south of the existing station and utilize the relatively modern pedestrian overpass to address safety and accessibility issues and provide a station with decent amenity. Effectively flip the existing station so you can access the existing car-park and still provide access to Wandong township and still be in close proximity to HJ.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]The Hj to Wandong section seems a little complex for a station, earlier in this thread it was mentioned that a train would have an easier time and would be much faster if it just stopped at HJ, rather then only stopping at Wandong, HJ isn't in that good of a position when it comes to shops.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Dingee/Pyramid Hill - Here the factors of isolation, effectively [b]no other other transport services[b] and the surrounding network i would say keep them.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Pyramid and Dingee can still get coaches to them.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]The political factors are probably the most relevant here. The last few state elections have been won and lost around public / other transport issues. The Labour party's build it and they will come approach to RFR worked a treat and it would be political suicide to start closing stations now.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI, Segoe UI, Segoe, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=2]I'm not that good at politics, but would closing stations in safe seats (I.E. Oven valley and Euroa) also be political suicide?[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Fortunately we do NOT live in a dictatorship and people are free to live wherever they choose.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Of course they can, It's just not ideal to live in such a small town.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Are you saying Taradale should have no more new residents and then when the last person there dies or moves away then it should become a ghost town because we want people to live in the larger nearby towns and in an earlier posting you recommend potential pax drive up to 20 minutes in the opposite direction to Castlemaine to catch their train.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]It's best that Taradale doesn't get too many residents, and it's much better to move to bigger towns because me of the infrastructure is already there, so you don't have to travel as much to get to shops.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Most people would agree that Darnum deserves its service and the extra 2 minutes travel time is insignificant.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Well Darnum is already closed, is pretty small and is within 10km of Warragul.[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]It seems to me you consider Pyramid Hill and the even smaller Dingee don't deserve the train to be stopping there. So by definition you advocate for the Swan Hill train to run express from Kerang to Eaglehawk, a distance of over 130Km and bypassing the catchment areas of all that distance...just to save 4 minutes. [/font][/size][/color]
[color=#000000][size=2][font=Roboto, wf_SegoeUI,]Keep in mind the catchment has low population, and the time saved is probably more then 4 minutes.[/font][/size][/color]