Passenger traffic on Victoria’s regional train lines has reached unprecedented levels, with some stations experiencing significant increases in ridership. The recent analysis by ACM, based on government data, highlights both the busiest stations and those that see minimal activity.
V/Line categorizes Victoria’s regional train services into short-haul “commuter” lines and longer “long-distance” routes. The short-haul lines include Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, and Gippsland, which terminates at Traralgon. Notably, the Geelong and Ballarat lines continue to operate diesel trains exclusively, which has contributed to overcrowding for commuters in Melbourne’s rapidly growing suburbs, such as Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Deer Park, and Melton.
In the 2024-25 financial year, the Geelong Line carried a staggering 5,757,450 passengers, while the Ballarat Line recorded 3,551,900 riders. This combined total of nearly 10 million passengers represents a daily average of over 25,000 individuals using these services. Tarneit Station alone accounted for more than 1.7 million passengers, ranking it as the 13th busiest station in metro Melbourne, only behind major hubs like Flinders Street and Southern Cross.
Ballarat Station, with 684,050 passengers, ranks as the second-busiest regional station, following Geelong. Melton Station surpassed Ballarat with 806,050 passengers, while Deer Park and several other nearby stations also contributed to high ridership numbers. Wendouree Station alone recorded 198,950 passengers, indicating a strong commuter flow to Ballarat.
Bendigo emerged as the busiest line among those serving only regional stations, reporting 1,377,550 passengers. It featured five stations—Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Woodend, and Gisborne—each attracting over 100,000 riders annually. Bendigo Station itself welcomed 489,350 passengers, which is notably lower than Ballarat’s figures, likely due to its greater distance from Melbourne.
The Gippsland Line held the position as the fourth-busiest short-haul service with 852,850 passengers, whereas the long-distance lines showed a stark contrast in ridership. Overall, the long-haul lines combined accounted for only 890,850 passengers, which is significantly less than the Gippsland Line alone.
Among the long-distance routes, the Albury Line led with 245,100 passengers in 2024-25, featuring three of the eight busiest stations in this category: Albury (with 84,300), Wodonga (60,400), and Wangaratta (50,500). The Warrnambool Line followed closely with 182,950 annual riders, and its station at Warrnambool recorded 112,500 passengers, making it the second-busiest station on the long-distance network, just behind Shepparton (with 116,000).
In stark contrast, the Maryborough Line emerged as the quietest in the network, serving only 16,100 passengers throughout the year. Talbot Station on this line was particularly underutilized, with just 900 passengers, averaging merely 2.5 riders per day.
These figures underscore the growing importance of regional train services in Victoria, highlighting the need for continued investment and improvements to accommodate the increasing demand from commuters. The data reveals a clear distinction between the bustling short-haul lines and the quieter long-distance routes, offering insight into travel patterns across the state.
