South West commuters will benefit from an extra return service from Warrnambool to Geelong every weekday and a Sunday return service to Warrnambool.
The additional 12 services per week means Warrnambool passengers will now get four return services every weekday and three return services on weekends.
The Budget invests $1.3 billion to make regional rail services more frequent and reliable across Victoria, and position the whole system for the longer-term expansion that our growing regions will eventually need.
The Budget includes $141 million for major periodic maintenance on the regional network including reliability and amenity improvements to the “Classic” fleet of carriages that run on the Warrnambool line.
The Budget includes $3 million to look at future transport options in Armstrong Creek and $3 million to undertake the detailed planning needed to duplicate the line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.
An allocation of $280 million will fund 27 new V/Locity carriages and $131 million will increase passenger rail services for Warrnambool, Ballarat, Traralgon, Geelong, Shepparton and Bendigo.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We have listened to the community and they have told us they want better trains and more services for our community.”
“The south west community has been waiting for this additional service for a long time and I am pleased to be able to deliver for the local community.”