Gippsland MPs Harriet Shing and Daniel Mulino have welcomed changes to boarding rules at Pakenham Station which will mean only V/Line customers will catch V/Line trains.

From June 21, people getting on the train at Pakenham Station will no longer be allowed to jump on V/Line services from Gippsland.

Currently, Pakenham is one of only two stations on the network where passengers with access to metropolitan services can board V/Line trains.

However, with V/Line patronage growing, overcrowding on the Gippsland corridor is becoming as issue. So from later this month, Pakenham station will be designated as “pick up” only for V/Line trains heading out of the City, and “set down” only for V/Line trains heading into the city.

This is a big win for Gippsland passengers, who will have access to dedicated, less congested services as they travel into Melbourne.

Eliminating this inconsistency will make pick up and set down rules fair, consistent and clear across the network.

The change comes in the lead up to the start of consultation on the Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Network Development Plan, which will provide a short, medium and long term strategy for better public transport services across Gippsland.

Communities in Eastern Victoria will be consulted as part of the plan, with consultation to kick off this month.

Gippsland passengers can also look forward to better, more reliable train services thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s Cranbourne Pakenham package of works, which will remove every level crossing between Dandenong and Caulfield, benefitting Gippsland passengers.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“This change means trains from Gippsland will be for passengers from Gippsland.”

“It also means a more comfortable ride for Gippsland Line passengers, with more improvements still to come as part of our Regional Network Development Plan, and the removal of every level crossing on the Dandenong corridor.”

“It’s a big win for V/Line travellers from Eastern Victoria, and makes boarding rules across our train network fair, consistent and clear.”