Ministerial Media Release: BENDIGO LINE PATRONAGE ON TRACK FOR GROWTH

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Media release
                               
From the Minister for Public Transport

Friday, 11 June, 2010

BENDIGO LINE PATRONAGE ON TRACK FOR GROWTH

Patronage on the Bendigo rail line continues to grow following record Brumby Labor Government investment into Victoria's regional public train network, Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said today.

Mr Pakula said latest V/Line patronage figures revealed growth of five per cent between Southern Cross Station and Bendigo during January to April when compared to the same time last year.

"Our investment in V/Line with new trains, infrastructure and improved stations is still continuing today, four years after the completion of the $1 billion spent under the Regional Fast Rail Project," Mr Pakula said.

Stations where passenger boardings have been strongest include the housing growth corridors of Gisborne (up 11.6 per cent with 90,393 passenger trips year-to-date), Woodend (up 10.5 per cent to 95,422 trips) and Kyneton (up 5.8 per cent to 95,279 trips).

"Bendigo Station grew by 2.1 per cent to 312,193 passenger trips while Kangaroo Flat is leading the charge, growing 16 per cent with 31,586 following the addition of upgraded car parking, extended services and improved bus connections," Mr Pakula said

At Castlemaine Station, patronage has grown three per cent to 165,091 trips.

Mr Pakula said the new figures confirmed improved public transport in the country was giving people real opportunities to enjoy the lifestyle benefits of regional Victoria, but still be within commuting distance to Melbourne for work, study or leisure.

"In addition to the 100 VLocity carriages delivered since 2005, the Government has funded a further 32 new carriages with the first three car VLocity to be finished by early August. This will bring the total number of VLocity carriages to 134 by the end of 2011," he said.

Member for Bendigo West Bob Cameron said not only were improved services encouraging people to live in regional Victoria, but also helping to boost tourism in communities, particularly in Castlemaine, Kyneton, Bendigo and Echuca.

Mr Cameron said previous Victorian Government and V/Line-sponsored events where people were encouraged to catch the train had injected millions into regional economies.

"Of the 75,000 people who attended the 2009 Couture Exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery, 19 per cent, or 14,250 travelled to Bendigo on the train," he said.

"Half of the estimated 25,000 patrons who attended the Castlemaine State Festival also came from outside the immediate area and of those 28 per cent, or 3570, caught the train.

"More than $2 million was injected into Bendigo region economies by visitors who caught the train to these events."