Regional Victoria Mayors Push for Increased Train Services to Ballarat
What happened
Mayors from Ballarat, Hepburn, and the Central Goldfields are urging the state government to increase passenger train services along the line connecting Maryborough, Talbot, Clunes, and Creswick with Ballarat. Advocates state the current timetable, which has not changed since 2012, is inadequate, with some commuters having only two return options per day from Maryborough to Ballarat. The collective is calling for a minimum of five weekday services to make public transport viable amid rising fuel costs.
From thecourier.com.au
Why it matters
The poor service forces residents to seek overnight accommodation when traveling to Melbourne, which is a major economic center. Advocates argue that increased services would make train travel a realistic option, potentially improving regional connectivity and economic access.
Ballarat needs track duplication to connect to Melbourne.
From thecourier.com.au
Who's involved
- BallaratRegional city where mayors are calling for increased transport funding.
- MelbourneMajor city that regional travelers are currently forced to stay near overnight.
- ClunesTown on the rail line mentioned by advocates.
- MaryboroughCity from which commuters currently face limited train options to Ballarat.
- Department of Transport and PlanningGovernment agency being called upon to fund infrastructure changes.
- Ben CarrollPolitician involved in policy discussions in the Ballarat region.
- V/LineRailway company whose operational viability is being criticized.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.