Up to 10 new weekday V/Line services will be delivered between Ararat and Ballarat, Public Transport Victoria’s upcoming August timetable plans reveal.
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But, there is no immediate strategy to provide additional weekend services.
A Public Transport Victoria customer feedback form obtained by the Times-News stated extra passenger rail services would arrive in the morning and afternoons between Ararat and Ballarat, connecting with trains to and from Melbourne.
The form went on to state there was no immediate plan to provide extra weekend services, with the exact timetable to be published through the PTV website closer to August.
It also explained prioritising the Regional Rail Revival announcement for the Ballarat Line Upgrade Stage Two will deliver an extra service to Ararat, improve freight movements and pave the way for future additional passenger services.
Public Transport Users Association Ballarat branch convener Ben Lever said it was pleasing to see the announcement of extra weekday trains, but weekend services still lacked.
“The new services sounds like they will fill some real holes and make the service much more useful for a lot of people,” he said.
“There is certainly a lot more that needs to be done to improve public transport in the region, particularly on weekends.
“There are some large gaps in the current PTV timetable, which can be a real inconvenience for people who rely on public transport to get around, and leave them stranded for hours.”
An Ararat resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they regularly used the V/Line service on weekends and said it required urgent attention.
“At the moment there is a six-and-a-half hour gap between V/Line coaches on Saturday,” they said.
“If this is all Public Transport Victoria can offer to the 30,000 people living between Ararat, Stawell and Horsham, then it is very disappointing.”
Mr Lever said the last service on a Sunday night leaves “quite early” creating a problem for visitors to the area.
“If you're a tourist visiting the area for a weekend, or a university student coming home for the weekend, you cannot stay as long as you might like - you have to leave before dinner,” he said.
“It wouldn't take any expensive new infrastructure or vehicles to fix these issues.
“The government could make some very worthwhile improvements immediately, using existing coaches and trains to fill timetable gaps.”
Transport Minister Jacinta Allen did not respond to attempts made for comment by the Times-News before deadline.
