Regional fare cap reaches nine-digit milestone

THE Victorian government’s regional fare cap has reached a major milestone since coming into effect, saving Victorian taxpayers nearly $100 million on regional rail lines since public transport fares were capped at the same price as the daily metro fare.

Last week, the Victorian government announced more than 37 million trips had been taken on regional trains and coaches since the fare cap’s introduction in March 2023.

Before the fare cap was in place, a return ticket to Geelong from Melbourne cost train users up to $27.60, but is now limited to the daily metro fare of $10.60.

Passenger usage on V/Line recently reached its peak across the state, with V/Line recording its busiest day on the network last month.

More than 92,000 trips were taken in Victoria on just one day using regional rail services.

In a bid to match increased demand, 88 new and extended weekend services will be added to the Geelong Line from December, delivering 20-minute all-day frequencies between Melbourne and Waurn Ponds seven days a week.

The updated timetable will come into effect on December 1 and will make services between Melbourne and Geelong the most frequented rail connection between two cities in Australia.