Pledge to cap V/Line fares

LABOR would cap daily regional rail fares at the same rate as metropolitan services under a one billion dollar State election commitment.

Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled the pledge on Wednesday at Ballarat, which would cap daily travel on V/Line services at $9.20 for a full fare and $4.60 for concession passengers.

Commuters who travel with myki Pass would also have daily travel fares at the Melbourne rate of $5.52 a day.

Current peak travel fares can cost up to $45.60 from Ballarat to Melbourne, while Bendigo commuters could pay up to $68.60 a day under current pricing.

Mr Andrews said the pledge was designed to tackle cost of living, support local jobs and improve regional services.

“Cheaper fares, comfortable trains and more frequent services – that’s what matters to commuters across regional Victoria, and that’s what Labor will deliver,” he said.

The commitment follows a pledge last month from the Liberal Party to slash fares in half and provide free travel for replacement bus V/Line services.

Trains would also run every 40 minutes on the Ballarat line from 8am to 9pm on weekends, while Bendigo’s line would have additional weekend night services and an extra service from Castlemaine to Bendigo.