During the most recent sitting week of Parliament, The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, called on the Allan Labor Government to ensure that more VLocity trains were built for the North East Line between Albury and Melbourne.
In a question put to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Ms Cleeland asked for a timeline to be provided for the construction of new trains due to persistent issues of overcrowding and unreliable services in the region.
“Every day, I hear complaints from passengers who can’t reserve a seat and are left standing or even sitting on the floor for long journeys,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Trains are often sold out well in advance, and too often, passengers are forced to rely on crowded replacement buses—if they’re lucky enough to get a seat at all.
“With limited public transport alternatives, these trains are essential for people needing to attend medical appointments or work.
“This government must prioritise building more trains for the North East Line in order to increase the number of services in our region and allow locals to utilise one of the few public transportation options available to them.”
While there has been a significant increase in passengers, the number of available seats and carriages on regional train lines is declining, along with the punctuality of services and rolling stock.
V/Line’s 2023-24 annual report shows a net decrease in rolling stock carriages of 24, as the retirement of loco-hauled carriages have not been replaced by VLocity carriages at the same rate.
This follows earlier confirmation that services to Albury, Warrnambool, and Bairnsdale are offering 175 fewer seats to passengers, due to the previous five-carriage diesel hauled service seating 397 persons, while the new VLocity trains only seats 222 people.
The latest punctuality rate has fallen from 89.1 per cent to 87.4 per cent, well short of the 92 per cent target.
“Despite nearly double the number of passengers on North East V/Line services, this government has yet to ensure locals can travel comfortably and safely,” Ms Cleeland said.
“For a decade, our community has been calling for improved public transport services, and now even experts warn that the Allan Labor government has pushed V/Line to breaking point.”
