Six months after V/Line copped backlash when a passenger on the Warrnambool train was refused a hot drink in her reusable cup, action has been taken to modifying its coffee machines.
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Susan Gourley said she was shoocked and disappointed when she was told "no" that she decided to speak up about it publicly ... and V/Line listened.
From this week, passengers on the Melbourne to Warrnambool service will be able to bring their own reusable cup or buy one from V/Line's new range.
"That's awesome! Look what we've done," Ms Gourley said on Sunday.
The former Port Fairy resident contacted The Standard about the issue in December and the publicity generated from the story captured the attention of other media outlets, as well as V/Line management.
"It's a win for the little guy, but it's about something much bigger."
Ms Gourley said it was about making the world a better and cleaner place for the future.
She said plastic pollution was one of the biggest problems the environment faced.
When you're really passionate about something, it's amazing what you can achieve, she said.
Until now, reusable cups could not be used because they didn't fit on the onboard coffee machines and there was a risk to staff due to the potential for hot beverages to spill with sudden train movements.
But now that coffee machines have been modified to protect staff, V/Line is encouraging more people to adopt reusable cups.
V/Line will sell its own brand of "keep cups" on most services to Warrnambool, Shepparton, Albury, Swan Hill and Bairnsdale.
Those who buy a V/Line-brand keep cup will also receive a complimentary beverage at point of purchase and 10 per cent discount for each refill as part of their bid to encourage more people to adopt reusable containers.
Passengers can also bring their own reusable 8oz plastic keep cup providing it is not glass, has a splashproof lid and is clean.
Passengers can still use V/Line's paper cups.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne said small changes like this can make a big difference, not only for regional passengers but also for the environment.
"This is a common-sense change and another example of how we are continuously working to improve the overall travel experience for every regional Victorian train passenger," she said.
"We recognise there is growing demand for our onboard catering to accept reusable drinking containers and we've been working hard behind the scenes to make this possible."
When The Standard first spoke to Ms Gourley last year she said that for V/Line to refuse reusable cups was just ludicrous and it was time it stepped up.
"Changes happen when people like me - everyday, grassroots people - choose to use a reusable cup or a reusable straw, but when you've got big companies and corporations who are apathetic and complacent, it undoes all our attempts at bettering our environment."
ABC War on Waste host Craig Reucassel had described the incident as "ridiculous".
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