Victorian Coalition pledges to halve V/Line fares

V/Line journeys if the Victorian opposition wins the November state election. Photo: Getty
V/Line train fares across Victoria will be slashed by half if the Liberal and National parties win the state election next month.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy said cheaper fares on regional train lines would be halved for at least four years and V/Line replacement bus services would be free.
Under the proposed plan, a daily commuter travelling from Geelong to Melbourne would save $1762 a year, from Ballarat to Melbourne $2074 a year and from Bendigo to Melbourne $2408 a year.
âFor regional Victorians, public transport costs can run into thousands a year,â Mr Guy said.
âOur plan will cut this in half and allows households to put those savings into what really matters.â
Opposition transport spokesman Danny OâBrien said the plan would be particularly beneficial to regional families.
âBy halving V/Line fares, our plan will keep more money in regional Victoriansâ pockets, while at the same time stimulating tourism in regional Victoria,â Mr OâBrien said.
âTravel costs shouldnât be a barrier to going about everyday life and under the Liberals and Nationalsâ plan, regional Victorians will get the cheap, easy commute they deserve.â
It came after the opposition announced at the weekend that Victorians could pay just $2 for all-day public transport if it wins on November 26.
The $2 flat fare would apply to travel on the metropolitan train, tram and bus network, and on non-V/Line regional city and town services.
The program would cost $1.3 billion and last four years.
-AAP








