POINTCook train station has been earmarked among the priorities for a former Maribyrnong councillor running for a seat in State Government.

Three new train stations in Wyndham, more train drivers and a more frequent timetable are some of the promises of Greens candidate for the Western Metropolitan Upper House region Colleen Hartland, who has promised “fast, frequent, well-connected public transport in the north and west” should she be elected this November.

Ms Hartland’s policy states the need for peak-hour trains to run every 10 minutes to address overcrowding, and for three new stations at Derrimut Rd, Point Cook and Werribee West – with the latter being an extension of the Werribee line through Wyndham Vale.

However, Wyndham City councillor Henry Barlow, who is running in the same seat as Ms Hartland for the Labor Party, said progress on the Point Cook station was “moving forward very well” since it was allocated $30 million in State Government funding in the recent state Budget. Cr Barlow described Ms Hartland’s policy as “nothing new”.

“These views have been a round a number of years and have the full support of Wyndham City Council,” Cr Barlow said. “It’s simple to make statements about a local issue without having a clear understanding of what the big picture is and the obligations involved.”

Cr Barlow said the Derrimut Rd station was on the council’s wish list, but was not as high a priority as connecting Wyndham Vale on the Werribee line.

“You have to prioritise these things and our number one priority is Point Cook station, then we’d look at the Werribee West extension,” he said.

Ms Hartland, who does not own a car, said the project would be costly.

She put the figure at $70 million based on estimates by The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA).

The PTUA estimates that a new station on an existing line costs $5 million, with extensions to existing lines costing about $20 million per kilometre.

“However, in the long run, better public transport saves the state and families money, not to mention the many benefits for environment and community,” Ms Hartland said. “With the cost of fuel, I think it’s actually a saving.”

The Greens’ policy also calls for a radical overhaul of the bus service based on a recent transport policy., putting the system back into public hands in 2008 when the private leases expire. It also details a need for outer suburban off-peak buses to run at least every 30 minutes by 2010.

“The service is overcrowded and infrequent, and the bus service doesn’t connect with the train service,” Ms Hartland said.

Another Wyndham City councillor and spokesperson for the Roadsafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council, Leigh Barrett, said it was no surprise the Greens had taken on the transport issue.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if every candidate included it in their platform because it’s such a high priority and a critical issue for the West,” Mr Barrett said.

However, Victorian Transport Association deputy CEO Neil Chambers said he welcomed the Greens’ position.

“We welcome any moves to improve public transport because the more private users you can remove reduces congestion for the road freight industry,” he said.