The Warrnambool line is likely to see a fifth daily service and passenger rail services could return to Hamilton following a state and federal government agreement on a $1.5 billion regional rail package.
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Reaction to the agreement provided a glimpse at what the future of rail could look like in the south-west.
The state government has previously said a crossing loop from Boorcan to Weerite and signalling upgrades under the package would mean the Warrnambool line could look at a fifth daily service and VLocity trains could be used.
A long-awaited fourth daily service was introduced in January this year.
It’s understood new VLocity carriages that can travel on long-distance lines including the Warrnambool line are in the design process, however, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan’s office has not provided further information.
Public Transport Users Association regional spokesman Paul Westcott said the agreement was welcome news for passengers.
He said the duplication of track between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds and the creation of a crossing loop would help improve Warrnambool passengers’ experiences.
“As far as the duplication goes, the benefits will mainly flow to Geelong passengers, but it should also assist Warrnambool passengers (by lessening delays),” Mr Westcott said.
Mr Westcott also said the creation of a new crossing loop was “better than nothing” for reducing delays.
“There's still a lot of single track and still a lot of potential for delay,” he said.
The regional rail agreement is likely to have a wider regional impact, with Wannon MP Dan Tehan flagging the possibility of passenger rail services returning to Hamilton. The last passenger rail services to Hamilton, which was part of the Portland line, stopped running in the early 1980s.
Mr Tehan said additional services and upgrades to the Ararat and Ballarat lines would enable long term planning for passenger rail services to Hamilton.
“Investing in passenger rail network infrastructure is essential for growing our region; it will stimulate employment and education opportunities,” the MP said.
“Infrastructure investment supports the region’s economy, allowing local business owners to get goods to market quicker.”