Last week, opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder pledged a $2million study into the rail link, which

was first canvassed by then-premier Henry Bolte in 1969.

A proposed line could run along Wellington Road, linking Monash University, Mulgrave and Waverley Park.

Public Transport Users Association outer-east convener Jeremy Lunn said a study would not solve the east's transport woes.

"Why is (the Liberal party) only promising a study and not committing funds towards construction costs?

"The Rowville railway line needs to be built as buses do not have the capacity to cater for the travel demands in this corridor.

"This is particularly the case as Monash University is the largest trip generator in the east of Melbourne and is located along the route of the proposed railway line.

"We've already seen evidence where the existing bus service was unable to cope with the travel demand of Monash students."

Ferntree Gully Liberal MP Nick Wakeling said it was widely recognised the feasibility study was necessary.

"The Labor government, while in opposition, promised to deliver the study 11 years ago and nothing's happened.

"Residents feel let down."

The Greens candidate for the eastern metropolitan region Damian Magner, who backed the rail link, said he also hoped the Liberal party would commit the funds to build the line.

"It's good to have another party come on board, but when it comes to the crunch, will they commit to building it?"

Eastern Transport Coalition chairwoman Samantha Dunn said the coalition had been pushing for the rail line to be built for "a long time". "I'm happy to see the issue highlighted again and we will continue to highlight it in the lead-up to the election.

"We've been working for this for a long time and we hope that the state government comes to the party."

In February, Premier John Brumby told the Journal the state government had no plans for a Rowville rail project.

A government spokesman said the Rowville area was well serviced by an extensive bus network, which also delivered excellent public transport connections for Monash University.

"Since its introduction in 2006, patronage on Wellington Road SmartBus has increased by nearly 140per cent with up to 5000 people using the service every day."