SEYMOUR will get five additional trains running under a Liberals-Nationals plan if they win the November election, saying it would boost seats for passengers across regional Victoria.
The plan would see Seymour get five additional V’Locity train sets from V/Line with 1110 seats overall, helping the line run longer trains in busier periods.
An additional V’Locity set would be retained across the network to use as required.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning at Seymour station, State Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said there was a need to access more regional trains for lines such as Seymour.
“I’ve heard from so many regional Victorians now that they feel they are neglected and ignored. Whether it’s the state of our roads, the lack of infrastructure in regional Victoria or the lack of V/Line services, the capacity and seats on these lines, they are forgotten,” she said.
“By ensuring we put suburban trains on suburban lines, we can return regional trains to regional lines. This means more trains, more seats, more capacity and more services between Seymour and the border – exactly what this local community needs.
“These are growing communities, and they deserve services to make sure they can get to work, the city, the medical appointments and get home, and they don’t have to stand, and get the ability or confidence to feel they can get on a train.
“These (trains) will be rolling stock for our first term in government. We’ve committed to 25 new hybrid-electric suburban trains for the Wyndham Vale and Melton lines, and as we have the delivery of that rolling stock for those suburban lines, we can return regional trains to regional Victoria.”
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the election promise would be a gamechanger for Seymour.
“More seats, more trains, more services; this will be transformational for our community in making sure they can access services, health appointments and social activities in Melbourne.”
“Too often, we have seen hundreds and hundreds of people left on the platform as they are trying to get home from the football. We need more capacity.”
“We have put forward petitions where thousands of people have called for more services, more trains and a seat when they need it.”
Shadow Minister for Public Transport, Matthew Guy, added his thoughts as well.
“Our plan to get regional trains back into country Victoria is going to see thousands of seats added across the network every day,” he said.
On the agenda was an update to the recent timetable change, which now saw Seymour trains arrive at 8.57am, rather than 8.36am previously, causing chaos for school kids.
Ms Cleeland said there was no update at this stage.
“No update as yet, but I did raise it in Parliament to ask for it to be reviewed and to return (the service) back,” she said.
“The fact we’ve put on an extra bus to get the kids to school and, at the same time, leaving workers on the platform waiting an extra half hour is unacceptable, so we’ve put it to the Premier and we expect an answer promptly.”
She also referenced some anecdotes she had been told about experiences on the train line.
“One that resonates with me was a pregnant woman who couldn’t get off the train and lost control of her bladder because she was stuck on the train. It’s humiliating and I think the stories of people sitting on the floor… you can ask any person who lives locally and it’s had an impact on their life,” she said.
Previously, the State Government had also announced extra services to Shepparton in August, with nine return services every weekday and five return services each Saturday and Sunday following the Shepparton line upgrade, while trains would also run every hour on Saturdays and Sundays on the Seymour line.
Minister for Public Transport Vicki Ward said last month it was their solution to ease overcrowding.
“More trains on the timetable means less time waiting on the platform and more time to enjoy your destination, whether it’s getting home, going to the footy, hanging out at the beach, or heading to work,” she said.
