Passengers on the V/Line western corridor are voting with their feet for cheaper and fairer fares, with more than two million trips taken in the over six months since the introduction of the Allan Labor Government’s regional fare cap.
The regional fare cap had proven to be so popular with Victorians it had put around $31 million back in people’s pockets since it was introduced on 31 March.
Approximately 2.1 million passenger trips were taken on a V/Line train between 31 March 31 and late October on the Ballarat Line. A further 468,000 trips were taken on the Ararat and Maryborough lines - all while paying no more than the cost of a daily ticket on the metropolitan network.
Since the launch of the fare cap, popularity of regional travel across the network has increased by around a third on the same period last year, including a 34 per cent increase in trips on the Ballarat Line compared with the same period in 2022.
V/Line has experienced the busiest Winter and Spring school holiday periods for train travel on record under the fare cap.
Ballarat passengers who previously paid up to $45.60 for a return trip to Melbourne and Ararat customers who paid as much as $62 – all now have their tickets capped at the same price as the metropolitan daily fare.
It means more passengers are realising the benefits of the $4 billion Regional Rail Revival project, which is upgrading every passenger rail line in Victoria.
To help meet the extra demand, V/Line has added hundreds of special services across the network, including regularly adding weekend services for Bacchus Marsh to boost capacity along the line.
V/Line has also added extra carriages where possible, utilised standby coaches at key locations and trialled new reservations procedures.
Across the network, V/Line is running more trains and services than ever before, with VLocity 109 recently entering service and new trains rolling off the production line every few months.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested over $2 billion in 82 new VLocity trains and supporting infrastructure.
VLocity production supports around 500 jobs across direct manufacturing at Dandenong and the wider rolling stock supply chain.
V/Line runs more than 2,250 scheduled train and 1,500 coach services every week, with more than 800 new services added onto the V/Line network since 2014. Almost 200 extra permanent weekend services are also set to commence in coming years.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
“The regional fare cap has played a big role in boosting patronage on the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines, helping passengers keep savings in their pockets.
“The September school holidays saw more than 900,000 trips taken across the V/Line network in the two weeks alone, with Victorians making the most of reduced fares to attend special events and festivities across the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
“By capping fares at the same prices as a daily metro ticket, it’s encouraging more Victorians to explore this great state and support thriving regional communities.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“We’ve boosted train services on the Ararat and Maryborough lines and now our reduced fares have made it easier for locals to visit family, friends and to go to special events across the state.”
