The Allan Labor Government is delivering more consistent and reliable services on the Bairnsdale line - as VLocity trains are set to run on every service, starting from this Sunday.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams today announced that the remaining two locomotive-hauled classic fleet services on the Bairnsdale line have now been retired, making way for new modern and efficient VLocity trains.
The Labor Government invested $31 million to expand the stabling facility at Bairnsdale to house two three-carriage VLocity trains overnight, which has enabled this change.
A new timetable has also been introduced, with the first and last services now stopping in Trafalgar, Yarragon, Longwarry, Bunyip, Tynong and Nar Nar Goon - creating more public transport options for these communities.
Work is underway on the latest order to build 23 VLocity trains, with the first 2 new trains already hitting the tracks since August - supporting local jobs and the growing popularity of regional rail travel.
Since 2014, more than 800 new services have been added to the V/Line network - with almost 200 extra weekend services to be rolled out progressively for regional passengers thanks to our investment in the 2023-24 State Budget.
Victorians continue to benefit from the regional fare cap, which has transformed the way people travel around the state, with 31 million trips taken and more than $80 million already saved by passengers.
Thanks to the regional fare cap, passengers can now travel between Bairnsdale and Melbourne for $10.60 - a significant saving for travellers who previously paid up to$39.40 for a one-way full fare journey.
As stated by Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
"We are investing in more modern and reliable VLocity trains to improve regional journeys and now passengers along the Bairnsdale Line can enjoy them on every service."
"Communities along this corridor will also benefit from more travel options, with more services stopping at stations including Longwarry, Yarragon and Trafalgar."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
"We're delivering a better train service for Gippsland - with modern and reliable VLocity trains running on all services, and cheaper fares so that passengers can get to where they need to go."
