Transport Infrastructure Minister and Acting Premier Jacinta Allan recently visited the station that will provide easy travel for Victorians to regional areas, as well as to the ever-expanding western suburbs and the airport's new station. She said:
“Footscray is already a major gateway from the city to our growing western suburbs – and with direct access to the airport and through the Metro Tunnel, the community will be better connected than ever before.”
Passengers at Footscray will be able to take advantage of a “turn-up-and-go” direct service to Melbourne Airport, which will operate every 10 minutes and take about 18 minutes. The station will also provide connections to suburbs west of Melbourne and to regional centres such as Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. Those boarding at Footscray will also be able to take direct services to Melbourne Central, Flinders Street and Southern Cross.
Major innovations such as this often see printing services enlisted to create new timetables for the benefit of all train travellers.
The Acting Premier said tunnelling for the Metro Tunnel project was well underway, and work was expected to begin on the Airport Rail project in 2022 towards an opening date in 2029, with this being subject to Federal and Victorian approvals.