All V/Line trains will be back on the tracks from 26 June, and the regional operator now has the funding it needs to deliver the huge increase in services the Andrews Labor Government has planned.
Currently 11 V/Line train services are being replaced by coaches due to excessive wheel wear, which has disrupted services since January.
The funding and return of these services next month ends this period of disruption, and will enable timetable changes planned for January to be introduced.
These changes include the introduction of extra peak hour services for Bendigo, and the start of Bendigo Metro, which will provide 10 extra weekday services to Epsom Station and an extra evening service to Eaglehawk.
All weekday trains between Bendigo and Melbourne will also now stop at Kangaroo Flat.
There will also be minor changes to arrival and departure times on the Ballarat and Geelong lines, to better space services at Deer Park and create a more stable timetable.
These changes will improve the reliability and punctuality of services ahead of major improvements to the Ballarat corridor outlined in last month’s Victorian Budget 2016/17, including the duplication of the line to Melton and three new crossing loops.
The Budget also funds 170 extra regional services, and provides $280 million for 27 new carriages, $141 million for major maintenance and $198 million to rebuild V/Line, so it can deliver better services across Victoria.
The former Liberal Government ripped $120 million out of V/Line, and didn’t order any new carriages for two years, hurting the regional operator and passengers.
Full timetables will be available in early June at vline.com.au and ptv.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“V/Line is back on track. All train services will resume next month and the regional operator now has the funding it needs to deliver the services regional passengers deserve.”
“The restoration of services means we can deliver Bendigo Metro and the new timetable for Ballarat and Geelong, which will create more reliable services.”
“We’re investing $1.3 billion in more trains, tracks and services for regional Victoria, and fixing the problems the former Liberal Government left in its wake when it cut $120 million out of the regional operator.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020