Gippsland at end of the line

While the focus on public transport across the state has remained on metropolitan areas for the past six months, commuters continue to call for additional services for the Gippsland corridor.
Despite a major statewide expansion of the rail timetable in February, coinciding with opening of the new metro tunnel stations, the newly formed Carroll Labor government last week committed to additional services across a selection of lines. Left off the list was the Gippsland line, despite a strong push from commuters since the February timetable came into operation.
On Thursday, Premier Ben Carroll announced more than 400 extra weekly services across the state, to be introduced on 14 lines from Sunday, August 23.
The unexpected rollout will see Geelong passengers enjoy 40 extended services, the Seymour line receives hourly trains, Shepparton gets return service upgrades, and Wyndham Vale benefits from nine-car VLocity trains.
But, the Gippsland corridor did not receive a single extra service. Calls have been made across the region from tradies, students, and councillors to make the timetable more logical, with many unable to reach their destinations on time since the February reshuffle.
The exclusion sparked frustration among local passengers who travel through the corridor.
The Nationals' candidate for Gippsland East Gemma Rendell said while other areas would benefit from public transport investments, Gippsland continued to grapple with "unacceptable" timetable gaps. She said Bairnsdale commuters had to endure an almost seven-hour gap between the 6.20am and 1pm departures.
Since all Bairnsdale-bound passengers from Southern Cross pass through West Gippsland, the service shortages restrict flexible travel and connecting options for Baw Baw residents seeking to travel through to East Gippsland or Wellington.
To compound local transport woes, commuters have been warned to plan ahead for major disruptions this week. Metro maintenance works will halt normal services, with coaches replacing trains for part of the journey from Friday night to the last service on Sunday, August 16.
Passengers travelling between Southern Cross and Traralgon or Bairnsdale will face a two-stage journey. Coaches will replace trains between Southern Cross and East Pakenham, where commuters will then transfer onto trains to complete their journey through West Gippsland.
Gippsland commuters are advised to check the V/Line website or PTV app and allow significant extra travel time during the maintenance works.
As the first replacement coaches roll out next Friday night, for a region already feeling left behind on the timetable, the message from the capital couldn't be clearer: Gippsland remains at the end of the line.