Community
1 August, 2025
School camp ‘derailed’ by booking failure
THE introduction of VLocity trains on the Warrnambool line continues to cause concerns for some users, with Brauer College the latest to be affected by the smaller-capacity carriages.
For years, Brauer College has relied on V/Line train services to transport year nine students to Melbourne affordably and efficiently.
This year, however, changes to the VLocity train fleet (specifically the introduction of smaller-capacity carriages) have made it impossible to book the full group on a single service.
Member for South-West Coast, Roma Britnell MP has called on the Minister for Public and Active Transport to urgently address travel barriers affecting regional school groups.
According to Ms Britnell, despite early planning and repeated attempts, Brauer College was told by V/Line that it could not secure seats until just 100 days before departure.
Even then, the group’s booking was denied.
“The students will now be split across two separate services, with half missing important pre-booked educational activities,” Ms Britnell claimed.
“Adding to the frustration, the school was advised to hire a coach at substantial extra cost; a solution deemed impossible.”
Ms Britnell called out the Allan Labor Government for ignoring prior warnings about the VLocity fleet’s reduced capacity.
“Regional students should not be disadvantaged because of poor infrastructure and inadequate transport planning; they deserve better,” she said.
“The Minister must urgently review these booking policies and expand capacity to ensure schools like Brauer College can access the cultural and educational experiences Melbourne offers.
“This government talks a lot about equity, yet regional students are now being split between trains, missing vital activities, and burdened by unnecessary costs.
“This isn’t progress, it’s a step backward for regional Victoria.”
According to a V/Line spokesperson, V/Line works closely with schools and groups to try and accommodate booking requests where possible.
“Group travel is subject to availability, with group sizes limited to ensure we balance the needs of all passengers wanting to travel on our services,” the spokesperson said.
“These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. If we are unable to accommodate these requests, we may split the group or suggest alternative services, and we work with schools as part of this process.
“Where we are unable to accommodate a group on its preferred service, we will endeavour to work with them on alternate solutions, including travelling at different times or splitting group sizes.”
The spokesperson also said that V/Line worked with Brauer College to accommodate its request and that the school had agreed to travel on the 6.22am and 9.24am services going to Melbourne, and the 1.10pm and 5.09pm services returning to Warrnambool two days later.
“Following the completion of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade, there are now five daily return services for Warrnambool Line passengers.
Since the introduction of VLocity trains, the Warrnambool Line has become one of the best performing lines on the V/Line network, exceeding both its reliability and punctuality targets for the past four months.”
