The Hon. Annabelle Cleeland, Nationals Member for Euroa, has expressed strong discontent regarding the Allan Labor Government’s recent rail initiative, known as the “Big Switch.” According to Ms. Cleeland, this program has failed to adequately address the needs of regional Victoria, particularly affecting the Shepparton and Albury–Seymour rail lines. Commuters continue to experience overcrowded and unreliable services while Melbourne benefits significantly from infrastructure upgrades.
Limited Changes for Regional Passengers
Ms. Cleeland stated that the newly introduced timetable offers little more than minor adjustments for regional passengers, while long-awaited rail upgrades for Shepparton remain uncompleted. “The Big Switch has been presented as a major overhaul, but for much of regional Victoria, the reality is that the changes are small and the benefits are limited,” she remarked. She emphasized that substantial improvements in service were expected to come from finalized rail upgrades rather than just timetable alterations.
Stage three of the Shepparton railway line upgrade was intended to significantly increase the number of daily return services between Shepparton and Melbourne. Initially, the Victorian Government indicated that this project would be completed in 2023. However, that deadline has been postponed multiple times, with the latest completion date pushed to the end of 2025.
Concerns Over Overcrowding and Service Reliability
Ms. Cleeland pointed out that although the Labor government has matched calls from the Nationals for cheaper fares, the promised increases in services and capacity have not materialized. “We fought hard to make fares more affordable, but cheaper tickets mean very little if people can’t get on the train,” she stated. Reports from local residents indicate that commuters are facing overcrowded carriages, missed services, and unsafe conditions due to insufficient seating. Ms. Cleeland noted that even individuals in wheelchairs struggle to find adequate space on trains.
She highlighted a stark contrast between the experiences of regional commuters and those in Melbourne, where rail upgrades have resulted in increased capacity and enhanced service reliability. “Regional passengers deserve more than incremental changes and shifting timelines,” Ms. Cleeland asserted. “People in Shepparton and across the Goulburn Valley were promised better, more frequent services. Those outcomes will not be delivered until the infrastructure is finished.”
Ms. Cleeland remains committed to advocating for clearer delivery timelines and substantial improvements for regional rail passengers. She concluded, “Regional rail should not be an afterthought. Completing the Shepparton works and delivering real extra services must be a priority if the Government is serious about fairness for regional Victoria.”
