V/Line has experienced the busiest winter and spring school holiday periods for train travel on record under the Victorian Government’s regional fare cap.
About 258,000 trips have been taken on the Shepparton line since the capped fares were introduced, with another 367,000 trips taken on the Seymour line — all while paying no more than a daily ticket on the metropolitan network.
Since the launch, the popularity of regional travel across the network has increased by about a third in the same period as last year, including a significant increase on the Shepparton and Seymour lines.
The fare cap is so popular it is estimated to have put about $31 million back in people’s pockets since it was introduced in March.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the fare cap was helping Victorians save money.
“The regional fare cap has played a big role in boosting patronage on Shepparton and Seymour Line services, helping Victorians keep savings in their pockets,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see people in northern Victoria making the most of reduced fares to attend special events and festivities across the state.”
To help meet the extra demand, V/Line has added hundreds of special services, put on extra carriages where possible, used standby coaches at key locations and trialled new reservation procedures.