Labor has pledged it will deliver cheaper public transport fares, more VLocity trains and extra weekend services, as part of a $1 billion commitment for regional commuters, if it is re-elected in the upcoming state election.
The package will allow Labor to cap the cost of a daily ticket on the regional network at $9.20 at full fare or $4.60 for a concession ticket, order new VLocity trains and add close to 200 extra weekend services on major train lines in regional areas.
Labor said they will order 23 VLocity trains, with each train taking about 21 months to manufacture, with the order boosting capacity on the Melton line, allowing nine-car train sets to replace the ageing V/Line fleet.
The investment will also allow for trains every hour on the Seymour line from 8am to 9pm on weekends, trains every 40 minutes on the Traralgon line from 8am to 9pm on weekends, additional Saturday and Sunday night services on the Bendigo line, five return services on Saturday and Sunday on the Shepparton, Warrnambool and Ararat lines, three return services on weekends on the Echuca line, extending the Sunday services on the Gippsland line and an extra weekday service on the Bendigo line between Castlemaine and Bendigo.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the commitment would provide cheaper and better rail services for regional families.
“Cheaper fares, comfortable trains and more frequent services – that’s what matters to commuters across regional Victoria,” he said.
