Castlemaine to Bendigo train service scheduled

A NEW morning rail service between Castlemaine and Bendigo has been announced by the State Government with the aim of offering an earlier train for communisers.

The service will run on weekdays and stop at Kangaroo Flat and arriving in Bendigo by 7.45 to with the hope of addressing early morning access issues to the city by public transport.

Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, said the new train is being added following feedback the first Southern Cross to Bendigo service is full by the time it reaches Castlemaine.

The current arrival time of the first weekday train to Bendigo from Melbourne is 8.20am.

“We listened to the community and promised an extra early morning service to Bendigo for the people of Castlemaine and Kangaroo Flat and that’s what we’re delivering,” Ms Edwards said.

“The new early morning Castlemaine service is the first of almost 200 extra to be introduced over coming years to get people where they need to go at the times they want to travel.”

The shuttle service will commence from 20 November and is part of the updated V/Line timetable for the Echuca and Bendigo lines.

“We’ve invested in the Bendigo and Echuca lines so trains can go faster and better connect these communities with each other and the rest of Victoria,” Ms Edwards said.

Ms Edwards said new train schedule will also include time savings on the Echuca line, making use of the track upgrades between Goornong and Echuca as part of line and trick works in the area.

“We’re seeing significant upgrades to the regional rail network, delivering more services across Victoria and faster journeys between Bendigo and Echuca for locals and visitors,” Ms Edwards said.