Gippslanders will benefit from longer trains and more seats on the Gippsland Line under a statewide plan from The Nationals and Liberals to boost capacity across regional Victoria.
The plan includes five additional VLocity train sets, delivering an extra 1,110 seats on the Traralgon and Bairnsdale V/Line services to enable longer trains during peak periods.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the commitment would significantly boost capacity and help address overcrowding on the Gippsland Line.
“My office regularly hears from passengers frustrated by packed peak service trains – anyone who travels at busy times knows the struggle to find a seat.
“Additional carriages will deliver a more comfortable commute and better connect locals to jobs, healthcare, education and major events.
“Gippsland passengers are too often forced to sit or stand in aisles – services departing Bairnsdale regularly reach capacity before arriving in Traralgon, while trains leaving Traralgon are often full before they reach Warragul.”
Last week in state parliament, Ms Bath again called out the Carroll Labor Government for failing to address the ongoing issues on the Gippsland Line, including capacity pressures, declining reliability and slower journey times.
“Gippsland passengers have endured unreliable services, overcrowded trains and constantly changing timetables – it’s time for a fresh start”, said Ms Bath.
“We’ll ensure trains with additional carriages are deployed throughout peak periods every day, providing more seats, reducing crowding and improving the journey for Gippsland passengers.
“Our plan delivers practical improvements that Gippslanders have been calling for more capacity and improved peak time travel.”
Caption – The Nationals’ Martin Cameron and Melina Bath announce Gippslanders will benefit from longer trains and more seats on the Gippsland Line under a statewide plan from The Nationals and Liberals to boost capacity across regional Victoria.
