Victorians are continuing to reap the benefits from the Allan Labor Government's regional fare cap, saving passengers nearly $100 million since public transport fares were capped at the same price as the daily metro fare.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams today announced more than 37 million trips had been taken on regional trains and coaches since the fare cap commenced.
The fare cap is helping ease cost of living pressures, with a return ticket to Geelong (previously costing up to $27.60), Ballarat (previously costing as much as $45.60) or Traralgon (previously costing up to $64.40) now capped at the daily metro fare of $10.60.
Passengers across the state have embraced farer fares, with V/Line recording its busiest day on the network last month - with 92,000 trips taken in Victoria on just one day.
To help meet increased demand, 88 new and extended weekend services will be added to the Geelong Line from December - delivering 20 minute all day frequencies between Melbourne and Waurn Ponds seven days a week.
The updated timetable, which will come into effect on Sunday, 1 December, will make services between Melbourne and Geelong the fastest and most frequent rail connection between two cities in Australia.
Passengers on the Warrnambool Line are currently enjoying the benefits of a fourth weekend service which was introduced earlier this month and VLocity trains hitting the network for the first time - delivering more modern, reliable and accessible journeys.
The additional services are part of the almost 200 extra weekend services funded in the Victorian Budget 2023/24, which are being progressively rolled out across the regional network.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has added more than 900 new services on the V/Line network every week.
To learn more about regional public transport services, visit vline.com.au.
As stated by Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
"Victorians have embraced cheaper fares - saving almost $100 million since we introduced the regional fare cap."
"With cheaper fares, more services and newer and more reliable VLocity trains, we've made taking the train to work, or to visit regional Victoria, a more attractive and affordable option for more people."
