Passengers on the Gippsland line will be able to enjoy free travel throughout November as a "thank you" for their patience during the Gippsland Line Upgrade works.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams were at Traralgon railway station last Tuesday to announcing free public transport for passengers starting their journey at any station on the Gippsland Line between Nar Nar Goon and Bairnsdale.
"Free travel on the Gippsland line in November is our way of saying thank you for your patience while we delivered this major upgrade," Ms Allan said.
"We've significantly upgraded the Gippsland line – improving two stations, delivering smoother journeys and more services. And now passengers can travel for free this November," Ms Williams said.
Passengers travelling from stations between Nar Nar Goon and Traralgon will be able to collect a Gippsland free travel voucher from station staff or a conductor onboard the train, instead of tapping on with their myki. Passengers boarding between Rosedale and Bairnsdale can collect a free V/Line ticket from station staff when boarding or book over the phone.
The voucher will give passengers free travel all day across Victoria's public transport network, including onward journeys on trains, trams, buses and V/Line coaches.
Connecting services also are included as part of the Gippsland free travel offer, meaning passengers starting or finishing their trip on a coach or local bus also will travel for free across the network.
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said the tree travel offer would benefit "local families, students and workers who rely on the Gippsland Line every day."
"Free travel will make a real difference to household budgets and give even more people a reason to jump on board," he said.
The Gippsland Line Upgrade delivered major improvements to the Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines, including new train control systems, rebuilt and expanded platforms at Morwell and Traralgon and upgraded stations at Bunyip and Longwarry.
The upgrade enabled a more frequent timetable across Gippsland, with more than 80 extra weekly services now available, including 14 on Saturdays and 18 on Sundays, and more than 1100 extra weekly bus services across 13 routes connecting to stations.
Every tram, train and bus across Victoria also will be free every weekend from early December until February 1 next year, in celebration of the Metro Tunnel opening.
From January 1 next year, public transport will be free for every child under 18, saving families up to $755 a year per child.
For more information on free travel for Gippsland residents in November, visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/free-travel-gippsland