Crammed trains unacceptable

Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Public and Active Transport to put more carriages on Albury line train services, along with services to Shepparton and Echuca. Ms Lovell spoke in parliament on Wednesday 13 August to share the concerns of a constituent who recently travelled on the 4:36pm service to Seymour on a Sunday afternoon, when only two Sprinter carriages were running, leading to serious overcrowding. She said many commuters were trying to get home at the end of the weekend, and at least 20 people in each carriage had to stand or sit on the floor for an hour-and-a-half train journey into the country. On April 17 this year (Maundy Thursday), The Euroa Gazette travelled on the 12:04pm service from Southern Cross station to Albury, via Euroa, which was over-filled with Easter long weekend holiday makers. For every two persons with a seat, there was one traveller sitting on the floor, which would have mathematically warranted three more carriages added to the six-carriage service. A spokesperson from V/Line told The Euroa Gazette that more options had been given to Albury Line passengers, with two weekend train services, which results in six services on Saturdays to Albury, with three stopping at Euroa; and on Sundays four services out of seven to Albury stopping at Euroa. There are also now more coach options added to the timetable following the introduction of cheaper fares. “Coaches were used to support busy Albury Line services across the Easter long weekend," the spokesperson said. "And will again be on standby at key locations to support services over...long weekends.” V/Line said it had added in recent years a 'significant' investment in improving the Albury Line, with the modern and popular VLocity trains introduced in 2021 following major upgrades to the track and bridges, reducing journey times and improving the service reliability. The regional fare cap has proven extremely popular for passengers, who are now paying $11 compared with up to $80 beforehand. V/Line also introduced reservation-only seating on the Albury Line train services and eTicketing for passengers, allowing online booking with no need to collect paper ticket. Ms Lovell said she had frequently advocated for increased train services and would continue to demand that the government stop ignoring regional Victorians and invest in the public transport that residents outside Melbourne deserve. “It is totally unacceptable that while the Allan Labor Government spends tens of billions of dollars on metropolitan tunnels, it refuses to put extra carriages on regional train services,” Ms Lovell said. “Commuters are outraged by the Labor government’s appalling neglect of regional train services, and the constant overcrowding on these lines that leaves passengers standing for hours. “The Minister for Public Transport must immediately put more carriages on Seymour and Albury line trains, so that my constituents can travel safely and with dignity.”