THE state government has added new weekday passenger rail services to the Ararat-Ballarat Line.
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The Ararat line will receive 19 additional weekly V/Line services, including an extra weekday morning train that will form a service to Melbourne at Ballarat, and a weekday afternoon service from Southern Cross to Wendouree that will be extended to Ararat.
Ararat’s new services are scheduled to start from August 27.
The timings of coaches and buses that connect with trains will be adjusted to reflect the new timetable.
Timetables are now available from www.vline.com.au/27august.
Passengers will be able to pick up printed timetables from stations and plan their trip using the Plan a Journey tool on the V-Line website from Thursday 27 July.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the extra services would allow regional passengers get to where they need to go sooner
“We’re delivering the services and infrastructure regional Victoria needs as it grows,” she said.
“We are providing more choice for regional people who want to head to the footy, see a show or visit loved ones, whether that be in Melbourne or across the state.”
Passenger numbers tipped to rise
Ararat Rural City Council Mayor Paul Hooper said the new timetable was welcome news after years of lobbying for more services.
“It’s a case of use it or lose it, but I’m sure patronage will increase once the new services are in place,” he said.
“It has been three years of hard work to get here.
“We’ve had help from our neighbours and other municipalities, and I’d like to acknowledge and thank them, and say thanks to Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan.”
Cr Hooper said Ararat City had fought for the new early morning and afternoon services in particular.
“The 6.18am train leaving Ararat and arriving in Melbourne before 9am is the one we were pushing for,” he said.
“With the new afternoon services, people will be able to use the train service for medical appointments, travel, to see family, for their professional life and all the other reasons people use public transport,” he said.
Cr Hooper acknowledged that the new timetable might not have train services to suit every commuter.
“Where we will be next month is not where we will finish,” he said.
“As more passengers use the new services, we will be in a better position to lobby for even more services.
“The new services not only benefit our region, but areas to the north and south along the network. In the long-term we will also benefit from the push to restore passenger rail services to Horsham and Hamilton.”
Member for Western Victoria and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford, said the new services would give passengers easier access to work, school and events in Melbourne.
“We’re giving Ararat line passengers extra morning and weekday services, giving them more travel options to get to Ballarat and Melbourne,” she said.
“Whether people want to get to Melbourne for work, a medical appointment, to attend the footy or visit loved ones, the extra services on the Ararat line will make it easier for passengers,” Ms Pulford said.
Ms Pulford said Ararat passengers will also benefit from the state and federal governments’ Regional Rail Revival, with $555.6 million committed for the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines.
This includes $518 million for Ballarat Line Upgrade, which is already underway and an extra $39 million for stage two of the project to deliver better services for Ararat and Maryborough.
The times of coaches and buses that connect with V/Line trains will also be adjusted to reflect the new timetable.
There will be changes to arrival and departure times of coaches to and from Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Ararat, and Halls Gap.
Ararat train departures starting August 27
Monday to Friday
- 06.18am (arrives in Ballarat 7.09am, Southern Cross Station 8.36am)
- 07.15am (B 8.18am SC 9.39am)
- 12.26pm (B 1.18pm SC 2.40pm)
- 2.49pm (B 3:52pm, SC 5.16pm)
- 4.49pm (B 6.01pm SC 7.27pm)
Monday and Friday only
- 3.35pm (‘The Overland’ service)
Saturday
- 7.15am (B 8.06am SC 9.40am
- 11.08am (B 12.06pm SC 1.40pm)
- 4.10pm (B 5.01pm SC 6.40pm)
Sunday
- 8.15am (B 9.06am SC 10.40am)
- 11.15am (B 12.06pm SC 1.40pm)
- 4.10pm (B 17.01pm SC 6.40pm)
Ararat train arrivals starting August 27
Monday to Friday
- 10.39am (departs Southern Cross Station 8.16am, Ballarat 9.42am)
- 2.39pm (SC 12.16pm B 1.42pm)
- 4.39pm (SC 2.16pm B 3.42pm)
- 8.33pm (SC 6.23pm B 7.36pm)
Tuesday only
- 11.13am (‘The Overland’ service)
Saturday
- 10.41am (SC 8.16am B 9.45am)
- 11.13am (‘The Overland’ service)
- 2.39pm (SC 12.16pm B 1.43pm)
- 8.36pm (SC 6.16pm B 7.40pm)
Sunday
- 10.41am (SC 8.16am B 9,45am)
- 2.39pm (SC 12.16pm B 1.43pm)
- 8.36pm (SC 6.16pm B 7.40pm)
Information presented for illustrative purposes only. Please refer to the V/Line website or call 1800 800 007 or TTY: (03) 9619 2727 for the latest timetable information prior to planning your journey.
The full new V/Line timetables are also available on the V/Line website