A LIBERAL Party election promise to staff every metropolitan train station in Melbourne has received a mixed response from the City of Maribyrnong community.

State Opposition leader Ted Ballieu has vowed to put 940 police officers across Melbourne’s metropolitan and regional train stations seven days a week from 6pm until the last train, if elected.

Mr Ballieu said the $200 million would be funded from the State Budget over four years.

“Making the public transport system safe again means stopping and punishing illegal and anti-social behaviour, including violence, intimidation, offensive behaviour, public drunkenness and vandalism,” he said.

Yarraville resident and community advocate Bruce Light has branded the idea commendable but questioned the effectiveness and cost of the proposal.

“Public transport is becoming so important to Melbourne ... and we’ve got to make it safe for people to use and I think anything in that direction to make public transport safer is a great idea,” he said.

“(But) if it’s going to run into the billions of dollars I’d like to see that spent on putting a tram link from Footscray to the city to improve public transport. There could be better infrastructure (with that kind of money).”

Mr Light said CCTV cameras at every station would be a great step forward that incurred a one-off cost.

Mayor and Labor Party member Michael Clarke also supported the inclusion of CCTV cameras at every train station, adding that he had no faith in the State Opposition’s promises.

“I think that you’ll find that this is a promise that quickly becomes a non-core promise,” he said.

Alan Ross from the Maribyrnong Residents Association said he had reservations about the proposal and added that such a decision should be made in consultation with the police Chief Commissioner.