FACT SHEET: FASTER RAIL IN VIC

Victoria has already delivered significant improvements to its regional rail networks, with more to come over the next few years. New VLocity trains enable speeds of up to 160km/h, while fast rail would enable residents to get to in about half the time it takes to drive.

REGIONAL RAIL LINK HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF RAIL INVESTMENT

The Regional Rail Link project focused on separating regional and % % metropolitan rail links to enable 58 80 more services. Regional services are now a crucial part of the OF REGIONAL REGIONAL GROWTH IN INVESTMENT commuter network. RAIL JOURNEYS ARE FOR PATRONAGE IN THE DRIVING FASTER, MORE GOING TO WORK 10 YEARS FROM 2006 FREQUENT SERVICES

Estimated Fast Rail travel times vs car/coach

Albury/Wodonga JOURNEY DRIVE FAST RAIL MEL > GEE 65 min 35 min MEL > BAL 85 min 45 min MEL > SHE 130 min 135 min MEL > ALB 200 min 165 min

MEL > TRA 110min 65 min IN M 5 N 6 I 1

M

5

3

1

45 M IN

6 5 MIN

IN M 5 3 MELBOURNE Geelong

FASTER RAIL IN VIC 2021 KEY PROJECTS DELIVERING TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS

Geelong Fast Rail to change the game for commuters

Fast rail to Geelong has the potential to deliver 35 minute travel times to the city, compared to 65 minutes by road. The Geelong corridor is expected to support 16 million journeys every year by 2031, making it a crucial part of the commuter network. Additional corridor investigations are underway for the -Wodonga and Traralgon lines.

Ongoing works improving speed and efficiency

The Regional Rail Revival program currently underway is delivering further improvements on every regional rail line on the network, enabling more frequent services, track improvements including the duplication of track between Geelong and Warun Ponds and the upgrading and expanding of rollingstock.

Bendigo represents regional opportunity

Faster rail connections to ’s third largest regional town would present new opportunities for the local tourism economy. V/Line has already improved services to , while upgrades to the rail line now underway will create three new stations, modernised systems and level crossing improvements. Faster rail connections would complement plans to support population growth in the region.

FASTER RAIL IN VIC 2021