General News
30 March, 2023
Maryborough to Melbourne train fares drop as new regional rail prices come into effect
“I have to go to Ballarat for a specialist appointment every so often and my upcoming appointment unfortunately didn’t fit in with the Red Cross Patient Transport schedule,” she said. “I have a heart condition and I don’t want to drive...
As of today, a return train ticket from Maryborough to Melbourne is just $9.20 — more than $40 cheaper than the original cost — in a move to make regional rail travel more affordable, and local residents are already taking advantage.
Coming into effect today, March 31, the State Government has capped the cost of a daily ticket on the regional Victorian rail network at the same price as a metro daily fare.
This means regional trips will be capped at $9.20 for a full fare or $4.60 for a concession — shorter regional trips will be even less according to Public Transport Victoria.
On weekends and public holidays those prices will drop to $6.70 and $3.35 respectively.
The fares will be game changer for many local residents catching trains for work, education, medical appointments, visiting family or heading to an event.
It’s something Maryborough resident Thelma Herbertson has already discovered, buying her first ticket on the reduced fare this week to get her to a medical appointment in Ballarat.
“I have to go to Ballarat for a specialist appointment every so often and my upcoming appointment unfortunately didn’t fit in with the Red Cross Patient Transport schedule,” she said.
“I have a heart condition and I don’t want to drive very far anymore, so now if I have to go anywhere I like to catch the train — it’s clean, it’s easy, it’s no hassle.
“$4 and I can sit down and do what I want the whole ride. It’s fantastic.
“Quite a few people use the train here. This will help a lot.”
V/Line regional manager west Martin De Lange said more staff will be on hand to support an expected increase in passengers.
“This is a really exciting time for V/Line,” he said.
“The fare cap will deliver a more than $25 saving for Maryborough residents heading to Melbourne — making travel more affordable and accessible for regional communities.
“We’re expecting many Victorians to take advantage of these reduced fares and our staff will be on hand to help passengers with their journeys.”
More rail services have long been called for in Maryborough, something Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said she’ll continue advocating for following the price caps.
“This is huge and so many people have already contacted the Maryborough office,” she said.
“It won’t be a case of paying $50 for a return trip to Melbourne anymore, it’ll be $9.20 or $4.60 concession — it’s a massive difference.
“I’m still fighting longer term for additional rail services to Maryborough but we’ve now got additional weekend services that kicked off in December and this complements that so well.
“This is not only going to bring more tourism and economic value to our region, it’s going to benefit locals as well.
“If you want to go to the footy, Talbot Farmers’ Market or CresFest this weekend, you can do that so much more affordably.
“This is a game changer, it finally means we’ll be equal with metropolitan fares. We shouldn’t have to pay more just because we live further away.”