Shepparton will soon benefit from the introduction of new train services thanks to works completed on the Shepparton Line Upgrade delivered by the Andrews Labor Government.
From Monday 1 April, passengers will get 10 extra weekly services that have been made possible by stabling upgrades at Shepparton Station. Early works have also kicked off this week at Donnybrook and Wallan Station to finalise the design of the Labor Government's $24 million upgrade of both stations.
The extension of an early morning Seymour train has made it possible for passengers to commute to work in Shepparton before 9am weekdays.
Two extra weekday trains have also been added – a mid-morning train from Shepparton to Melbourne and an afternoon peak service between Melbourne and Seymour.
The stabling upgrade allows two trains to be stored at Shepparton Station overnight, enabling the boost in services on the line.
Work is now underway on stage two of the Shepparton Line Upgrade, which will allow VLocity trains to travel to and from Shepparton for the first time.
During the next four weeks, crews will excavate 22 test pits and drill six boreholes between Nagambie and Shepparton to better understand ground conditions and soil quality in the project area.
This will inform the design of the stage two works, which includes platform extensions, level crossing upgrades, signalling and track upgrades and a new stabling facility north of Shepparton to house VLocity trains.
These upgrades will deliver up to a 20-minute travel time reduction between Melbourne and Shepparton.
The Shepparton Line Upgrade is fully funded by the Labor Government and is being delivered as part of the Regional Rail Revival, which will upgrade every regional passenger train line in Victoria and create more than 1000 jobs.
The new timetable will be available online at ptv.vic.gov.au and at staffed V/Line stations and from 1 March.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
"Local passengers have been calling out for more train services and we're delivering exactly that, giving people more choice when they travel."
"With the next stage of works now progressing, passengers have even more to look forward to, with more modern trains and more reliable journeys on the way."
As noted by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"This is fantastic news for Shepparton locals and even better news for commuters looking for those extra services on the Shepparton line that will get more people where they need to go even quicker."
