Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell has addressed her concerns about overcrowding on the Warrnambool to Melbourne train service in state parliament.
The local MP drew reference to a customers experience, where the person had booked to travel to Melbourne on an unreserved service, only to be told the train was already at capacity and that the person needed to take a bus.
“Booked today to go to Melbourne on an unreserved service. Upon arrival, the three carriages were already full.” Roma read.
“We were told a bus had been arranged for excess passengers – but one was also full, so V/Line had to put on a second bus to Geelong.” she continued.
Ms Britnell said the incident highlights both poor planning and a serious safety concern.
“If trains are full before Christmas, what happens when travel is free in January?” she asked.
Watch her speech below
It comes as the State Government announced that travel will be free for commuters every weekend in January, however there are concerns that there aren’t enough carriages on the Warrnambool to Melbourne train service to keep up with the demand.
Member for South West Coast, Roma Britnell MP, said the chaos was entirely predictable, given the government’s refusal to address the chronic capacity issues on the Warrnambool line.
“This is December. Free weekend travel hasn’t even started – and the system is already failing,” Ms Britnell said.
Ms Britnell called on the Allan Labor Government to urgently increase capacity by adding extra carriages and to stop prioritising headline-grabbing announcements over proper planning.
“Victorians don’t need gimmicks – they need a transport system that works, is safe, and is planned properly.”
