Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has proposed a daily commuter rail service between Griffith and Albury – saying it would boost Riverina tourism while helping students and pensioners.
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His comments come after debate on a proposal for a daily train service between Wagga and Albury resurfaced during the week.
“It would be better for the train to originate in Griffith and take in Leeton, Narrandera and Junee on its way to Wagga and Albury,” Mr Fischer, a long-time train aficionado, said.
Mr Fischer suggested the train could include gourmet food boxes showcasing the MIA’s fresh produce, and be marketed as the “Griffith Gourmet Express” as a means of attracting tourists.
“A service departing Griffith at 7am and returning from Albury at 4pm would be ideal for students, and those travelling for medial appointments,” he said.
“It would benefit everyone, we’ve got the stations and rail lines there, it would take a lot for this to go ahead.
The existing weekly service between Griffith and Sydney could be scrapped, as this new daily service would also commuters to link up with express services to major cities in Wagga, Mr Fischer said.
Vanessa Keenan, the Wagga councillor behind the idea of a Wagga to Albury service, said “it’s the same principles and merits as what I’m proposing, our roads are really overburden”.
She said that her focus was on Wagga rather than other towns.
Griffith Business Chamber president Paul Pierotti said he believes such a train does not seem commercially viable.
Mr Fischer said the service, which could also be called “Riverina Regional Express”, would meet the needs of regional towns to better connect with each other.
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