Victoria calls for restoration of passenger rail routes
Residents of western and north-western Victoria in Australia are calling for the restoration of passenger rail services between regional cities ahead of the state election in November. As ABC News Australia reports, communities and transport activists are advocating for the return of routes between Geelong and Ballarat, Mildura and Maryborough, as well as improved connections in the Wimmera.
Geelong — Ballarat
Geelong and Ballarat, the state's two largest regional cities, have had no direct rail connection for nearly five decades. The line between them is currently used only for freight transport. Sarah Mansfield, the Greens' deputy leader and member for Western Victoria, said there was demand for travel between the cities, but people often had to use cars.
Three bus services run daily between Geelong and Ballarat. It is also possible to travel by train via Melbourne, but this takes several hours each way, Mansfield noted. The Greens want to connect a potential route with the Maryborough—Ballarat line. Jeff Moran, the party's preselected candidate for the Lowan electorate, estimated that restoring the Ballarat—Geelong connection would cost about A$800 million. According to him, the funds would be needed to upgrade level crossings and platforms, as well as for rolling stock.
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Mildura and the Wimmera
Mildura remains Victoria's largest regional city without passenger rail service: services there were discontinued in 1993. The nearest passenger rail service is available in Swan Hill, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Mildura. A trip to Melbourne via Swan Hill or by overnight bus takes about eight hours each way.
Noel Laidlaw, president of the Rail Revival Alliance, noted that expensive airfares, an ageing population and the condition of roads between Mildura and Melbourne make public transport important for many residents. Mildura Rural City Council is one of five councils along the potential route that support restoring the train service to Maryborough.
V/Line passenger services to Horsham in the Wimmera were also discontinued in 1993. RMIT lecturer Liam Davies believes that the fastest and simplest option for restoring connections to Horsham and Mildura could be shuttle services to Ararat and Maryborough, from where there are connections to the wider rail network. According to a 2022 estimate by the Parliamentary Budget Office, passenger service to Mildura three times a week would cost A$47 million.
