Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is calling on the State Government to increase the number of V/Line services on the North East line after new information revealed demand for trips had nearly doubled within a year.
The North East line comprises of services running to Seymour, Shepparton, and Albury. Approximately 40,000 trips were taken on the line in March this year, compared to 26,000 trips in the same month last year.
Despite the significant increase in trips, only one extra weekend coach service had been added to the line, leaving residents to travel on overcrowded trains and leaving many without a seat or reservation.
Ms Cleeland put forward several questions to the Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams, demanding the number of services to be increased.
“Despite there being nearly twice as many passengers on our V/Line services, this government has failed to effectively ensure that locals can travel comfortably,” she said.
“While reserved-only services have been introduced, my office continues to deal with complaints from passengers who are now unable to reserve a seat and are being told to stand or sit on the floor for long journeys.
“With tickets selling out at a rapid pace, many people needing to make spontaneous trips will either have to stand, sit on the floor, or skip their journey entirely.”
Stating it was irresponsible to continue avoiding the issue, Ms Cleeland argued that adding more services must be prioritised for those using the North East line between Albury and Melbourne.
“With demand expected to keep rising, our trains are getting less and less accessible for local passengers,” she said.
“Due to a lack of other public transport options in our towns, these trains are crucial for those needing to attend medical appointments and other essential services.
“This simply cannot continue as it is.”
Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence responded by stating that the State Government were in the process of increasing passenger services.
“We are delivering almost 200 extra weekend regional rail services – with some new services already delivered, and more services on their way,” she said.
New services are yet to be added to the Seymour, Shepparton, or Albury lines however, with the last updated schedule released in February of this year for Albury, and Seymour and Shepparton’s last updated schedule released more than a year ago
