Council
13 June, 2025
Commuters pay the price for cuts
SOUTH West Coast MP Roma Britnell is calling on the state government to put six-carriage trains back on the Warrnambool line.
“Commuters using the V/Line service to and from Warrnambool are stuck on overcrowded trains, often without a seat for many hours, following Labor cuts to the number of train carriages,” Ms Britnell said.
“Despite the Allan Labor Government boasting about upgrades to the line and rolling stock, the VLocity rail cars, which have replaced diesel hauled trains to Warrnambool, offer passengers 175 fewer seats.
“While the previous five-carriage diesel hauled N-class trains seated 397 people, the new VLocity trains only seat 222.”
Ms Britnell also added that these new trains were not fitted with comfortable seats, device charging or a buffet car, making them unsuitable for long regional trips.
“Labor’s excuse is that platforms are too short to accommodate six-carriage trains, but longer trains were used previously,” she said.
“Rear carriages can be locked and passengers instructed to disembark from front carriages. This commonsense solution is used in Victoria in Dingee and Heathcote Junction; it should be used in Warrnambool.”
Ms Britnell believes it is “not unsual” for a train on the Warrnambool line to hit an animal or something left on the track.
“Having people standing, including young children and the elderly, is dangerous. Unlike commuter trains in Melbourne, there are few handles or rails to hold onto.
“We know that passengers who are standing are more likely to be projectiles in the event of sudden breaking. Does somebody need to be badly hurt before this is addressed?”
Ms Britnell called on the government to put in place “practical, proven solutions.”
