Passenger numbers on Victoria’s regional train lines have reached unprecedented levels, highlighting a significant shift in commuting patterns. A recent analysis by ACM, utilizing government data, reveals the busiest and quietest train stations in the region, shedding light on the demand for transport services.
The V/Line network categorizes its services into short-haul “commuter” lines and long-distance routes. The five short-haul lines include Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, and Gippsland, which terminates in Traralgon. Notably, the Geelong and Ballarat lines remain the only regional services operating diesel trains, resulting in overcrowded conditions for commuters from Melbourne’s booming western suburbs, such as Tarneit and Wyndham Vale.
In the 2024-25 period, the Geelong Line recorded a staggering 5,757,450 passengers, while the Ballarat Line followed with 3,551,900. Together, these lines accounted for nearly 10 million passengers, averaging over 25,000 daily. Tarneit station alone welcomed more than 1.7 million passengers, positioning it as the thirteenth busiest station in the metro Melbourne area.
Ballarat Station reported 684,050 annual passengers, making it the second busiest regional station behind Geelong. Interestingly, Melton surpassed Ballarat with 806,050 passengers, while Deer Park and surrounding stations like Cobblebank, Rockbank, and Bacchus Marsh also contributed significantly, each recording over 300,000 passengers. Nearby Wendouree Station added another 198,950 passengers, emphasizing the daily commuter traffic to Ballarat.
The Bendigo line, while primarily serving regional stations, was notable for its patronage. It recorded 1,377,550 passengers, with five stations exceeding 100,000 annual visitors: Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Woodend, and Gisborne. However, Bendigo Station’s 489,350 passengers were significantly less than Ballarat’s, likely due to the longer commute times.
Among the short-haul services, the Gippsland Line was the fourth busiest with 852,850 passengers, while the long-distance routes saw a marked decline in usage. The combined total of all long-haul lines was 890,850, highlighting the stark contrast in passenger numbers. The Albury Line led the long-distance routes with 245,100 passengers, featuring three of the eight busiest long-haul stations: Albury (84,300), Wodonga (60,400), and Wangaratta (50,500).
The Warrnambool Line followed closely, carrying 182,950 passengers, with Warrnambool Station receiving 112,500 visitors. In contrast, the Maryborough Line was the least frequented, with only 16,100 passengers for the year, and Talbot Station recorded just 900 passengers, averaging 2.5 per day.
The data underscores a growing reliance on regional train services in Victoria, particularly on the short-haul lines connecting Melbourne’s suburbs to regional centres. As commuter patterns evolve, the demand for efficient and reliable train services continues to rise, prompting a need for infrastructure planning and investment to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.
