Passengers on the Shepparton Line will be travelling in modern VLocity trains from later this month.
As of Sunday, October 23, all services on the line will be the newer VLocity trains, and a new timetable will come into effect.
It will see changes to arrival and departure times and extra stops at Heathcote Junction, Tallarook and Donnybrook.
To mark the start of VLocity services, a celebration is being held at Shepparton Station on October 23, with local suppliers involved to deliver a great day for the community.
“With extra services and better stations already delivered, these trains are the next phase in our complete overhaul of the Shepparton Line — and there’s more to come,” Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.
“We’re delivering better journeys and a modern train service to the people and communities along the Shepparton Line.”
Mooroopna, Murchison East and Nagambie station platforms were all extended to accommodate the longer VLocity trains, and while coaches replaced trains last month, another 14 level crossing upgrades were completed on the line.
Works have progressed on a new stabling facility north of Shepparton to house the VLocity trains — the newest and fastest models in the V/Line fleet, also featuring mobile signal boosters for better phone coverage and improved accessibility for people with prams or mobility aids.
With stage one of the Shepparton Line Upgrade complete, 10 extra weekly services have been delivered, and the future completion of stage three will allow for nine weekday return services and quicker journeys.
Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie appeared at Shepparton Station at noon, after the Victorian Government’s announcement was released in the morning.
Mr Littleproud and Ms McKenzie said Premier Daniel Andrews had tried to take credit for all of the funding for the upgrades to the Shepparton Line.
“The projects we're seeing delivering the upgrades of the line to Shepparton from Melbourne were as a result of the National Party, in Federal Government, putting $320 million on the table for a project little over $400 million,” Ms McKenzie said.
This 80/20 split funding announcement was made in 2020 with the former Federal Government for stage three of the Shepparton Line Upgrade project, which is still under way.
The Victorian Government funded $356 million for the first two stages of the project and $80 million for stage three.
The new timetables will be available from October 7 at ptv.vic.gov.au and on PTV’s journey planner app.