"I have had a fair bit of experience with some of the issues, given the proximity of my electorate office [in Yarraville]," the Western Metropolitan upper house MP said.

"The opportunity to be part of implementing the solution, as difficult as it is, is very exciting."

Mr Pakula replaces Lynne Kosky after her sudden resignation on January 18.

Premier John Brumby announced his new cabinet last Wednesday.

A former national vice-president and state secretary of the National Union of Workers, Mr Pakula will retain his role as industrial relations minister. He has also previously been minister for industry and trade and parliamentary secretary for roads and ports.

Over the next few weeks, Mr Pakula plans to ride public transport and speak with passengers about the services. The 41-year-old, married with two children, described himself as a "moderate" user of public transport.

"I am not an everyday traveller, [but] I'm about to become a much more intense user of public transport," he said.

"'I think the solution to getting around Melbourne and getting around Victoria is a multi-modal solution. You need a road solution, but you need a rail solution, you need a tram solution ... and buses have their role.

"I am very positive about the prospects of the Regional Rail Link making a difference in the western part of Melbourne."

Of the Williamstown line closures, he said it was only ever a last option in extreme weather conditions. "Metro, the new operators, have to be able to run the network in a way that is most efficient for the most customers.

"The reality is Williamstown is one of the shorter lines. It's not like those passengers have been left in the lurch; the buses are there replacing the trains.

"As we get the reliability up and the infrastructure improved on the network, obviously my hope is that those events happen less and less frequently."

Mr Pakula was optimistic about electrification of the Sunbury line despite residents' concerns about the quality of the metropolitan rail system.

He said he would continue to pay attention to the interests of western suburbs residents.

"As people express their views about it, I will certainly continue to listen to what they have to say and keep the community informed."

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said a priority should be improving the often-overlooked bus system.