The additional service would run Monday to Friday from 2016, departing Warrnambool at 7.40am and arriving in Melbourne at 11.05am, with the return service departing Melbourne at 3.45pm and arriving in Warrnambool just after 7pm.

 It would take the Monday to Friday return services to four each day. The Sunday service would also be improved, with the existing midday coach services replaced with a train under the plan. 

Dr Napthine was in Ararat yesterday to announce the $178.1 million rail improvement package, which will add 79 extra long-haul rail services across the state. Also included in the package were line upgrades and duplications in the Gippsland area. 

He told The Standard the extra service had been in planning for “a number of years” and was only made possible thanks to the regional rail link and a new passing loop at Warncoort, near Colac. 

“Those two pieces of infrastructure were vital to allowing extra services on the line. We have opened a new passing loop on the line which the previous Labor government removed, meaning extra services weren’t possible,” he said. 

“The extra service will be perfect for people who are travelling to Melbourne for medical appointments or shopping. They can leave Warrnambool later and get home earlier.

“We will be looking to upgrade infrastructure in the future and if the demand is sufficient there may be scope for an extra freight service as well. 

“This is the biggest single boost to V/Line’s long-distance trains in the past 30 years.”

But Labor candidate for South West Coast Roy Reekie said people should be cautions and examine the detail in the package.  He said the government had announced a state-wide package for rail improvement, but it was unclear if any money would trickle into South West Coast. 

“What we are getting is an extra service running on the same outdated infrastructure, using the same old carriages and the same old locomotives,” Mr Reekie said.  “The money needs to be spent upgrading the infrastructure. The line is essentially 100 years old.

“The money set aside for this state-wide package wouldn’t be enough to cover an upgrade of the Warrnambool line.

“Denis Napthine has been the local member for the past 28 years. The question needs to be asked: why has it taken until just before an election for him to do something?  Can we trust him to deliver?” 

Mr Reekie said while he couldn’t make any commitments, he was sure if he were elected local member “it wouldn’t take 28 years to get something done”. 

The pledge was welcomed by the Greens and Warrnambool City Council mayor Michael Neoh. Both called on Labor to match the pledge.

Cr Neoh said a rally planned in Colac for Saturday was still going ahead and called on all candidates from areas that the line services to attend and speak for one minute about their views on the rail line. 

“This is a great announcement for not only Warrnambool, but the Great South Coast Group and G21, but we need Labor to match it,” Cr Neoh said. 

“But this is a short-term ask. Or long-term goal is to see upgrades to the rail infrastructure.” 

Minister for Transport Terry Mulder said the Coalition would refurbish and bring a previously withdrawn train back into service to ensure V/Line had sufficient rolling stock. 

He said the Coalition would also investigate providing improved air-conditioning to V/Line’s N-set carriages that were the mainstay of V/Line’s long-distance trains.