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Melina Bath expresses concerns on Gippsland's direct V/Line to Melbourne CBD secured for now, but concerns remain over future

Gippsland's direct V/Line to Melbourne is safe for now, but Nationals MP Melina Bath warns future changes or delays will face strong opposition amid concerns over travel times and unmet promises.

By news@gippsland - 28th July 2025 - Back to News

Gippsland's direct rail service to the Melbourne CBD is safe - for now. The Nationals' Melina Bath has received written confirmation from the Victorian Government that there are "no current plans" to alter Gippsland's direct V/Line service to Melbourne's CBD when it resumes.

Melina Bath warned any future cuts to Gippsland's direct rail would face strong backlash, citing slow travel times and uncertainty

Gippsland rail uncertainty

In response to Ms Bath's letter seeking clarity on behalf of concerned commuters, Labor's Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams wrote:

• Gippsland's V/Line rail service will continue to terminate or originate from either Southern Cross Station or Flinders Street Station
• There are no current plans to transfer Gippsland line passengers to or from metropolitan rail services at Pakenham East

Ms Bath said regional commuters will receive the news with guarded scepticism. "What Labor dictates for Gippsland rail when the Metro Tunnel opens is anyone's guess. Gippsland passengers deserve a continuous V/Line service to the Melbourne CBD without the need to change trains."

Gippsland rail frustration

Ms Bath warned that any future move to remove Gippsland's V/Line's direct access to the CBD would be met with fierce opposition from locals and The Nationals. She also expressed disappointment at the Minister's confirmation that the transit time from Traralgon to Melbourne is to be 2 hours and 20 minutes when services resume.

"Labor blew the project budget by $350 million and failed to deliver the promised Bunyip River bridge duplication, which bottlenecks the service, increasing travel time. It's extraordinary that Labor has spent $878 million and put Gippsland passengers through a decade of disruptions but won't be delivering a faster service."

"While trains are expected to depart every 40 minutes from Traralgon, the journey to Melbourne still takes 40 minutes longer than it did in 1984. Gippslanders will not receive the full suite of promised upgrades despite the service being plagued by abysmal punctuality for a decade," said Mr Chester. Labor can't manage money, can't manage regional rail upgrades and Gippsland is paying the price.

Pictures from V/Line Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Tim Bull highlights East Gippsland patients facing excessive dental wait times amid ongoing public system mismanagement concerns
  East Gippsland patients face over 18-month waits for public dental care, with private dentists struggling under short voucher timelines and delayed government payments, highlighting systemic mismanagement, says Tim Bull.
• Darren Chester confronts Agriculture Minister over European deal, but she won’t call it fair
  The Albanese government’s EU free trade deal has been widely criticised by farmers and industry bodies for weak market access, unfair concessions, and restrictions harming dairy, red meat, and wine sectors.
• Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Gippsland Water launches pop-up events inviting Latrobe Valley residents to help shape future water services and planning decisions
  Gippsland Water will host pop-up events across the Latrobe Valley, inviting community feedback to help shape future water services, pricing, and infrastructure planning.
• Latrobe City urges the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety urgent activation of Traralgon Bank Street and Princes Highway traffic lights
  Latrobe City Council urges Victorian Ministers to urgently activate the Bank Street–Princes Highway traffic lights in Traralgon, addressing safety concerns after completed works remain non-operational since 2018.