Media release from the Minister for Public Transport
Thursday, 8 October 2009
More people than ever before are using the V/Line network with a record 12 million trips made on the system in the past financial year, an increase of 9.5 per cent, as regional rail continues to attract growing numbers of passengers.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the patronage rise was a reflection of the investment the Brumby Labor Government has made to upgrade tracks, deliver new trains, reduce fares and increase services to major regional centres.
“This is a historic high for V/Line and shows regional Victorians are voting with their feet,” Ms Kosky said.
“Regional train travel has transformed with V/Line becoming the most successful regional rail operator in Australia.
“Patronage over the past five years increased by 89.8 per cent and now more than 1 million trips are made on the network every month.
“The Brumby Labor Government recognises the importance of rail services to support growing regional communities and that is why we continue to invest in new VLocity train carriages and station upgrades.”
Over the past financial year, the Gippsland line experienced the biggest increase with patronage up 15 per cent. Patronage on the Bendigo line was up 9.8 per cent, the Geelong line was up 9.5 per cent, while the Ballarat line increased 12 per cent.
“We are taking action to meet this growing demand, adding extra carriages on the busiest lines, with a total of 74 new carriages on the way,” Ms Kosky said.
“Already there are an extra 17 VLocity carriages in services, providing an additional 1300 seats and we will continue to add new carriages every month.
“It’s great to see people voting with their feet in our rail services but it has created crowding on the popular fast rail corridors – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon, particularly during the peak and that’s why we are taking action to meet future demand.”
Ms Kosky said the increase in patronage was especially pleasing while rail services to Albury/Wodonga were replaced with buses as part of the $612 million North East Rail Revitalisation project.
“The Brumby and Rudd Government together with the Australian Rail Track Corporation funded this project which includes upgrades to several stations along Albury line and refurbished trains and passenger amenity,” she said.
“Works are on track and I know communities right through the north east and looking forward to the return of passenger services next year.
Regional rail patronage increases:
|
2008-09 |
2007-08 |
2006-07 |
2005-06 |
2004-05 |
5 year increase |
| Geelong line passenger trips (incl. Warrnambool) |
3.38 million
(+9.5%) |
3.08 million |
2.57 milion |
2.03 million* |
1.84 million* |
Up 83.6% |
| Bendigo line passenger trips (incl. Swan Hill & Echuca) |
3.06 million
(+9.8%) |
2.78 milliion |
2.20 million |
1.47 million* |
1.32 million |
Up 132.3% |
| Ballarat line passenger trips (incl. Ararat) |
2.68 million
(+12%) |
2.39 million |
1.88 million |
1.37 million* |
1.35 million |
Up 98.8% |
| Gippsland line passenger trips (incl. Bairnsdale) |
1.77 million
(+15%) |
1.54 million |
1.05 million |
0.82 million* |
0.85 million |
Up 107.4% |
| Seymour line passenger trips (incl. Shepparton & Albury) ^ |
1.17 million*
(-3.6%) |
1.21 million |
1.15 million |
1.05 million |
0.99 million |
Up 17.7% |
| TOTAL |
12.05 million
(+9.5%) |
11.01 million |
8.85 million |
6.74 million |
6.35 million |
Up 89.8% |