Drivers and cyclists caught ignoring boom gates and crossing train tracks will be fined more than $3000 after the state government doubled the punishment in a bid to reduce the death toll.

And pedestrians caught illegally crossing tracks can face fines of more than $1500.

From this week, the maximum court fine for the unauthorised crossing of train tracks by drivers and cyclists will more than double, from $1467 to $3033. The normal fine will rise from $295 to $607.

Last year, 93 people were prosecuted for illegally crossing tracks.

The maximum court penalty for unauthorised crossing of tracks by pedestrians has also dramatically increased from $738 to $1517. The infringement penalty will increase from $148 to $379.

Labor has made level crossings a key political issue. At last year's election, it promised to remove 50 of Melbourne's most dangerous level crossings. Since winning office, it has identified the first 17 of 20 crossings to be removed by 2018.

The project, which is expected to cost up to $6 billion, is due to be funded by the sale of the long-term lease of the Port of Melbourne. That sale has hit a snag as the Coalition and the Greens are set to block the lease in the upper house.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the fine increases were aimed at reducing deaths and helping ease the trauma for train drivers.

Ms Allan said the number of trains hitting cars and pedestrians was too high and greater action was needed to deter people from crossing tracks when it was dangerous and illegal.

"Collisions on our train network are taking lives and traumatising drivers. That's why we are so determined to remove 50 of our most dangerous level crossings, while increasing the fines for illegally crossing the tracks," Ms Allan said.

"Doubling the fines will make people think twice about dangerously sneaking across the tracks.

"We want people to stop taking chances so they don't hurt or kill themselves and potentially traumatise train drivers, just to save a few extra minutes."