Regional passengers left on hold as Labor leaves country Victoria behind

Regional passengers are being forced to spend nearly an hour on hold to book replacement coach services after the Allan Labor Government scrapped an online booking system that previously took just minutes to use.

The Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland raised the issue in Parliament this week, calling on the Government to immediately reinstate online bookings for V/Line replacement coach services and commit to delivering modern ticketing infrastructure across regional Victoria.

The call comes after Benalla resident Dianne Simpson contacted Ms Cleeland after spending 57 minutes on hold to book a seat on a replacement coach service on the Northeast Line.

Dianne, who lives with a disability and requires priority seating, previously booked replacement coach services online in a matter of minutes.

“Regional Victorians already put up with constant disruptions, replacement buses and reduced services. Now they’re being forced to sit on hold for nearly an hour just to book a seat on a coach,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This isn’t an upgrade. It’s a step backwards.”

Ms Cleeland raised the issue in Parliament this week, questioning why V/Line had removed a service that made travel easier and more accessible for regional passengers.

She said the situation highlighted a broader problem with the Government’s approach to public transport in country Victoria.

“Every time there’s a new transport announcement, regional Victoria seems to miss out,” she said.

“The Government is busy talking about credit card tap-and-go ticketing, but many stations across my electorate still don’t have basic Myki infrastructure.”

“Regional communities were left behind when Myki was first rolled out, and we’re being left behind again.”

Ms Cleeland said regional passengers deserve the same convenience, accessibility and reliability that metropolitan commuters expect.

“For people with disabilities, older Victorians, families and those travelling for medical appointments, these systems matter.”

“Public transport should be making life easier, not creating more hurdles.”

Ms Cleeland called on the Minister for Public and Active Transport to immediately reinstate online replacement coach bookings and commit to delivering modern ticketing infrastructure across regional Victoria.

“Country Victorians pay their taxes, buy their tickets and deserve the same level of service as anyone else,” she said.

“Regional Victoria shouldn’t always be an afterthought.”