Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland V/Line passengers have had their public transport downgraded with the Allan Government refusing to fund a full bus replacement service to the city.
V/Line passengers travelling from Traralgon will only be bused to East Pakenham where they must catch a metro train to the city until metro tunnel and testing work is completed.
In a small concession, passengers on the Bairnsdale service will be bused directly to Southern Cross Station.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath has been calling for the reinstatement of buses for all Gippsland passengers to Southern Cross Station, raising it with the Minister for Transport in state parliament.
Ms Bath said people are fed up with the substandard V/Line rail service which will be shut for two months beginning this week.
“Labor’s half-baked bus replacements are totally inadequate – it impacts workers and students and is particularly challenging for the elderly and people with reduced mobility.
“The 200 metre walk from East Pakenham bus interchange to the train station through parkland is exposed to cold and wet winter weather.
“A commute that should take two hours, takes over three and a half.
“Passenger experience illustrates the issues – recently one city-to-home journey took seven hours, while other travellers grapple with a lack of information and safety concerns.”
Ms Bath said no matter which way the government spins it; we know Labor can’t manage money or an efficient public transport system.
“In 2024 V/Line’s punctuality was only 78.5 per cent, while the latest data released for April 2025 is 80.7 per cent – a country mile from the expected 92 per cent.
“Gippslanders deserve reliable, punctual public transport, yet for 10 years they have been left waiting.”
