General News
19 January, 2023
Cheaper fares, more travel
CHEAPER V/Line fares are poised to bring a windfall to Dimboola and similar townships across the region. Dimboola Town Committee president Kaylene Pietsch said the slashing of fares - capping daily travel costs anywhere in the state at $9.20 - is...
CHEAPER V/Line fares are poised to bring a windfall to Dimboola and similar townships across the region.
Dimboola Town Committee president Kaylene Pietsch said the slashing of fares - capping daily travel costs anywhere in the state at $9.20 - is great news for the district and surrounding towns.
“Dimboola is an engaging tourist place which is attracting hundreds of tourists from all over Victoria,” she said.
“The town will draw more visitors in future due to cheap V/Line fares.
“It will inject some benefit to the small local businesses and the businesses which are about to open soon.
“We normally have people from Warrnambool, Geelong, Mildura and Melbourne visiting Dimboola every year during their vacations or on weekends.
“Our caravan park and camping areas are very popular among the tourists and this initiative would increase their popularity.”
Horsham rural city council Mayor Robyn Gulline welcomed the state government initiative, which will see one-way fares as high as $46 from some regional areas fall by more than 80 per cent.
“We welcome any measures that make it easier for people to use public transport to access services in the city,” she said.
Christine Bremner and her family are among those looking forward to the savings.
“I always tell my friends to visit these beautiful towns, including Dimboola and Horsham,” she said.
Ms Bremner visits her daughter’s family in Horsham at least four times a year from Gippsland, and is delighted with the announcement.
She said the fare cuts would motivate people from all over Victoria to visit their families and friends.
“This is a great service and soon it will be more economical for everyone. It will boost tourism and local businesses in the area,” Ms Bremner said.
“As a senior citizen, I’m still paying concession price for these trips to Horsham.
“Around $19 for the round trip would be very cheap compared to the $52 which I’m paying at the moment.”
“It will be helpful for everyone financially and will encourage people to visit their loved ones more often.”
Cr Gulline also reiterated the call for the return of regular passenger rail travel to the region.
“We know that the Wimmera is a very long way behind most other regional cities in the state when it comes to public transport,” she said.
“The current coach service is not meeting the needs or wants of the entire Wimmera region.
“The return of passenger rail to Horsham, in conjunction with better rail services to and from Ararat, is essential to the ongoing growth of the region’s economy and the wellbeing of our communities which rely on public transport for access to medical services and education.
“Passenger rail would also provide easier access for tourists coming to the region.”
Following the most recent fare reduction of 20 per cent in 2007, V/Line reported an increase in the number of passengers using the regional train services.
The cheaper fares will come into effect from March 31.