02 September 2026
Biggest regional rail boost in a generation for the Albury line
Regional Victorians along the Albury line will have more trains, more seats and more choice under a Liberals and Nationals Government, with services between Melbourne and Albury set to double from six to 12 services a day.
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, said the commitment would deliver the biggest change to regional rail services along the Albury line in a generation, providing a major boost for passengers in Seymour, Avenel, Violet Town, Benalla and communities across North East Victoria.
Under the plan, the Albury line will have six services in each direction every day, up from the current six services across the entire day.
“This is a generational investment in the Albury line and a huge win for passengers across the communities I represent,” Ms Cleeland said.
“For too long, regional Victorians have been expected to put up with limited services, overcrowded trains and timetables that simply do not work for people trying to get to work, school, healthcare or appointments.
“Doubling services from six to 12 a day means more choice for people in Seymour, Avenel, Violet Town and Benalla.
“It means more opportunities to travel when it suits you, more seats for passengers and better connections between our regional communities and Melbourne.
“This is about making regional rail work for regional Victorians.”
The Liberals and Nationals’ plan will introduce new hybrid electric trains on the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines, freeing up 25 three-car V/Line VLocity sets to be redeployed across the regional network.
Five additional VLocity sets, providing 1,110 seats overall, will be allocated to Seymour and Albury to run longer trains with more seats during busier periods.
Ms Cleeland said the investment would also help address the growing demand for public transport across North East Victoria.
“Our communities are growing, and more people are relying on public transport to get to work, access education, attend medical appointments and stay connected with family and friends,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We should be making it easier for regional Victorians to get around, not forcing them to plan their lives around inadequate train services.
“People across North East Victoria deserve a rail service that reflects the communities we are today and the communities we are becoming.
“More trains, more seats and more choice will make a real difference to people who rely on the Albury line every day.”
The additional capacity forms part of the Liberals and Nationals broader plan to deliver more trains and more seats across Victoria, with additional VLocity sets allocated across Gippsland, Northern Victoria, Western Victoria and South West Victoria.
“This is what a proper regional transport plan looks like,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Instead of asking regional Victorians to accept less, we are putting forward a plan to give them more.
“More services. More seats. More choice.
“And for passengers along the Albury line, this could be the biggest improvement to their train service in a generation.”