Tuesday, 9 May, 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will deliver 18 new Traralgon services every week and stop more Gippsland trains at Richmond station on the weekend, making it easier for local passengers to get to and from the footy.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing announced the service improvements today, which will be introduced as part of a new V/Line timetable on 27 August that will add more than 140 regional services across Victoria.

The timetable will add a new weekday service in the evening, and a late night service that currently just runs on Friday will run every weeknight.

Half the new Gippsland services will run on the weekend – five on Saturdays and four on Sundays – giving local passengers more choice about when to travel.

In addition to the extra trains, more Gippsland services will now stop at Richmond Station – making it easier to get to and from footy at the MCG and other major events at AAMI Park and Rod Laver Arena.

The new services build on the 10 extra services added in January, and $9 million Gippsland Rail Corridor Station Upgrade Program – both funded in last year’s Victorian Budget
.
Today’s announcement puts further pressure on the Turnbull Government to finally fund regional rail in tonight’s Federal Budget.

Victorians are tired of being short changed by the Turnbull Government on infrastructure funding, particularly given Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester is supposed to represent the State’s east.

The Labor Government is doing its bit, investing billions in new regional trains, line upgrades and better services – but can’t keep doing all the heavy lifting alone.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 funds 39 new regional carriages – building on the 48 already ordered – and the permanent extension of late night coach services to Traralgon on the weekend as part of Night Network.

The Government also recently announced the $435 million Gippsland Line Upgrade and a $95 million upgrade the Avon River Bridge as part of its Regional Rail Revival package.

To deliver these upgrades and many more across regional Victoria, Darren Chester and the Federal Government need to give Victoria the $1.46 billion they owe through the Asset Recycling Initiative.

The timing of coaches and buses that connect with trains will be adjusted to reflect the new timetable, which will be available in July from ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“We added ten new services in January, more carriages in April, and we’ll add a further 18 services in August – meaning more trains, more seats, more often for Gippsland rail travellers.”

“Running 18 extra services will make it quicker and easier for Gippsland commuters to travel to and from work, study or appointments safer and sooner.”

“It’s crucial that we continue to improve our line and services, and it’s crunch time for Darren Chester and his Turnbull Government to deliver the infrastructure money that is ours, so that we can get on with a once-in-a-generation Victorian project that Gippslanders support across the board.”