It is over a year overdue, and yet, the stage three upgrades of the Shepparton line are not finished.

As part of the Upgrade, Shepparton was promised nine return weekday train services to Melbourne.

Speaking in parliament, state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe asked Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams to provide a timeline for when Shepparton would receive promised additional train services.

Now in the second month of 2025, no timeline has been provided on the expected delivery of the services.

“We are more than a year past the expected completion date of the upgrade and this critical infrastructure project is yet to be completed,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“The stage three Shepparton line upgrade included a $320 million investment from the previous Federal Government and should have seen the community provided with nine return weekday services by now.

“The current limited services have also led to significant overcrowding on the Shepparton line.

“This is having a serious impact on people’s safety and wellbeing when travelling, with many travellers not being able to get a seat.”

Ms O’Keeffe said she had been contacted by many locals concerned about overcrowding.

Most recently, a Kialla resident informed Ms O’Keeffe that she had to have surgery as a result of the unsafe and overcrowded conditions on the Shepparton Line.

“I was recently contacted by an 86-year-old woman who had an awful incident on an overcrowded train from Shepparton to Melbourne,” she said.

“The train was so full that she couldn’t get out of the toilet safely with her mobility aid and her finger was crushed in the door.

“She had to go straight to hospital for surgery on her finger.

“The government has clearly failed to invest in the additional carriages needed to meet increased patronage.

“Unsafe overcrowding will continue until we see additional rolling stock and the promised extra services along the Shepparton line.

“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage major projects and regional Victorians are paying the price.”

The News reached out to the Victorian Government to ask about the timeline and stage three upgrades.

“Passengers on the Shepparton line are already enjoying the benefits from the Shepparton line upgrade, which has delivered more frequent services and modern VLocity trains,” a government spokesperson said.

“Rolling out a new rail signalling system is incredibly complex work, but once complete, the Shepparton line upgrade will enable nearly twice the number of daily train services to Shepparton.

“Former Liberal National governments shut down regional rail lines — we’re upgrading each one, while delivering more services.”

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Tuesday, 14th January 2025

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