Passenger rail services were withdrawn on the Mildura line in 1993 by Jeff Kennett. Labor has made a number of promises over the years to restore this important transport service to the people of Mildura as well as many of the smaller communities along the line. The 2018 and 2022 State Conferences reiterated this commitment to have this train brought back but the current State government is making no efforts to honour the previous promises or abide by two decision of State Conference.
Why is this important?
This proposal involves the introduction of a standard gauge locomotive-hauled passenger service. It will run between Mildura and Maryborough and will connect with the current broad gauge VLocity service through to Melbourne via Ballarat.
Benefits for the reintroduction of Passenger Rail Services to Mildura.
- Able to capture a high degree of population for improved public transportation (60,000 Mildura-Wentworth – 75,000 in corridor 130,000 in tri-state region)
- · Largest Victorian population centre with no access to rail transport
- · Upgrades to the current, infrequent public transport services
- · Current Road coaches inhibit access for elderly and or persons with a disability
- · Reduced reliance on the limited access to air transport in the region
- · Reduced reliance on private transport catering for the whole community
- · High community support for a reintroduced rail service
- · Ability to utilise existing upgrades from the Murray Basin Rail Project (MBRP) and recent Ballarat line investments
- · Benefits to local communities including Maryborough, St Arnaud, Donald, Ouyen, Birchip, Wentworth
The train to Mildura will allow access to the region for tourists from Melbourne and support families to access Melbourne for social, medical or recreational activities.
In the various communities along the Mildura line there are many who rely on public transport as their only means. These are outlined below:
- · Elderly citizens
- Families
- Anyone unable or unwilling to do the drive on the highway to Melbourne
- · Students, apprentices and trainees
- · Seasonal Workers
- · Indigenous community members
- · Tourists
- People who do not wish to or cannot afford to fly to Melbourne
In a diverse community such as the North West, all groups deserve access to effective public transport that is reliable, fast, affordable and provides good connectivity
This service will put Mildura and Melbournetake eight and half hours travel time and represent a competitive timeframe compared to car or coach travel.
The significance of a passenger rail service to local tourism is important. Mildura and many of the communities have markets, festivals and events which would be highly supported by a reasonable passenger rail service.
A more comprehensive summary of the proposal including a draft time table can be found at http://railrevival.org/Mildura%20Proposal%20V%2012.pdf
This petition is sponsored by the Rail Revival Alliance Victoria Inc.
They can be contacted at admin@railrevival.org
Noel Laidlaw
President
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https://www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/restore-passenger-rail-services-on-the-mildura-line
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Hi @brianEvans I just found out that v/line management has being letting N set rundown…..they are not fixing them unless forced to…found out from my train conductors last night and they doing costing to covert the signalling to get VoLcity up to Swan Hill…..and I found N set are needed for another 7 years!
I think you will find they are letting the network run down across the board. There have been many issues with Vlocity trains also causing issues with service reliability. The cost of upgrading the Swan Hill Line would be so immense (as nothing really works properly at V/Line) it would be 10 years away.
Where are some spare N cars for swapping out for maintenance to keep the current service working? They are so dumb they probably have not kept enough to rotate them for years on the Swan Hill line.
There are 14 cars off the roster atm VN19,VN3 and N13…now 13 car one was allocated to a tourist railway in Dalyford…BDN….
Rumoured it may go to Rail Journeys and Beyond for now TBA!
But if so, why was it transferred to Bendigo and not Nth Dynon being Standard Gauge as they got dual gauge near Dynon for bogie exchange?
Good luck with your work, however, currently up to FIVE services a day is not an infrequent service.
https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/e382a7b7-0253-4714-86db-60d47131bc3e/Mildura-Melbourne-(via-Swan-Hill-and-Bendigo)
Mike, people want a direct train service and some can’t ride coaches!!!
Do expect people with Moblity scooters etc. to catch a coach? Or people who got water work issues?
The population has grown like Albury and yes they should have a train too!
Plus buses are not the best if you are big and tall person or stocky….cramped…
And yes I wouldn’t mind riding a fit for purpose that way on the Standard Gauge….if a non profit heritage tour train operater can do this so can a public funded rail operator if they had vision and gumpton!!!
oh none of older train loco haul that not PC but a sleek intercity rolling stock simliar layout to XPT or Euro Star modern fit for purpose layout would do this route nicely!!!
There is certainly merit in the resumption of V/line passenger services to Mildura but in saying so are we talking about a higher speed service?
Why can’t a longer N set on SG do the job even if the service is slower and cheaper than flying? There are towns along the way that could make it work.
Brian I am aware that they are SN sets still operational in the state…..one is SN8 and SN16.
.maybe they can be leased out for some operator with passion and drive to make it happen?