Suburban Rail Loop to Cut Commute Times by 2035

Suburban Rail Loop will cut commute times by up to 40 minutes when its first section between Cheltenham and Box Hill opens in 2035, according to a new report. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and SRL Minister Harriet Shing released findings that highlight significant time savings for students and daily travelers using the Suburban Rail Loop East corridor.

Don’t miss…Victoria’s Suburban Rail Cuts Commute Time Across Melbourne

Students commuting from Cheltenham to Monash University or Deakin University will reach campus 40 minutes faster than using current transport. They will also save 24 to 29 minutes compared to driving those routes.

The travel time savings were calculated using the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) app at 8 a.m. or as close to that time as possible. The app compared both current public transit and driving routes.

Suburban Rail Loop to Improve Daily Commutes

A full trip between Cheltenham and Box Hill will be 33 minutes faster than existing public transit and 30 minutes quicker than driving. These changes mark a major shift in Melbourne’s suburban travel.

Tunneling for SRL East is set to begin in 2026, pushing forward the city’s most transformative infrastructure project in decades.

Suburban Rail Loop Will Connect Communities

Harriet Shing said the Suburban Rail Loop will reshape Melbourne by supporting better housing access, smoother mobility, and stronger local communities. She added the project brings fairness and opportunity for all Victorians.

By connecting key suburbs without traveling through the CBD, the rail line is designed to reduce congestion and decentralize urban movement. This approach aims to create more livable neighborhoods across the growing metropolitan area.

The full report on Suburban Rail Loop travel benefits is available online. Planners expect it to unlock faster commutes, local economic growth, and improved access to education and housing.

Source: www.railexpress.com.au

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