V/Line is introducing a new timetable for services between Seymour and Albury / Wodonga to reflect new train running times on the line.

Deteriorated track conditions between Seymour and Albury have forced the need to reduce train speeds from 115 kph to 80 kph and run road coaches in the place of some trains between Wangaratta and Albury.

The train speed reduction has added up to 30 minutes to travel times and created train crossing and departure issues in the Wangaratta to Albury section where there is only one track.

V/Line CEO, Rob Barnett, said the new timetable would give people more certainty to their travel times.

“We’d rather not have speed limits in the first place, but trains must run at speeds the track can safely handle.”

Mr Barnett said the Victorian Government was currently in negotiations with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) about the future of the line.

Two options for the future of the track between Seymour and Albury are currently being considered:
• Maintenance to the line in its current form as a broad gauge track; or
• A major conversion to a standard gauge track – like the one used by CountryLink trains between Melbourne and Sydney. This option would involve the handover of the current broad gauge line to the ARTC.

“Unfortunately we can’t upgrade the track until this key decision about the future of the line is made,” Mr Barnett said.

“We hope the current negotiations between the Government and ARTC are resolved quickly to allow us to eventually deliver major improvements to the train service.

“We understand the frustration of our customers at the moment, and everyone shares the view that the current service is not up to its previous high standards.”

Mr Barnett said that from next Monday, 25 February, travel times between Seymour and Albury will be either changed or extended. Some trains will also be replaced by road coaches for part of the journey.

The revised timetable will be in place from Monday 25 February until further notice.

Services from Melbourne to Seymour and Shepparton are not affected, except for the 15:25 weekday Seymour to Melbourne service, which will now depart at 15:34.

People who have already booked to travel from Monday 25 onwards are advised to please call 136 196 to confirm travel times.

For more details on the altered running times visit a staffed V/Line station, call 136 196 or visit vline.com.au.