- Published:
- Thursday 21 July 2022
Passengers on the North East Line will soon enjoy faster, smoother journeys with the launch of a new timetable unlocking the benefits of major track works and new trains.
The new timetable for the trains – introduced from 28 August – will cut travel times by seven-to-27 minutes, with the changes made possible by the North East Line Upgrade and roll out of faster VLocity trains.
All six daily services will have shorter journey times, with early morning passengers enjoying savings of almost 20 minutes and those travelling on the evening 6.02pm service from Southern Cross arriving home to Albury close to half an hour earlier than before.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested in the new VLocity trains as part of a $340 million investment for 18 new trains including six standard-gauge trains for the Albury line. The VLocity is the newest and fastest train in the V/Line fleet and has improved features including mobile signal boosters for better phone coverage and better accessibility for people with prams or mobility aids.
The trains were designed and built especially for the Albury Line based on feedback from local passenger representatives and feature bespoke catering facilities as well as extra luggage space and bike storage.
The start of the new timetable follows the end of essential maintenance work by the ARTC during August to further improve long term track reliability and will see all services on the Albury Line run by VLocity trains.
The new trains will soon commence stabling overnight at Albury Station after improvements funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments were completed, enabling all services on the line to run as VLocity trains.
New timetables and more information will be available from 29 July 2022 at ptv.vic.gov.au, vline.com.au and PTV’s journey planner app
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We’re giving passengers on the Albury Line what we promised – new trains and faster, more comfortable services.”
“We are delivering a fast, reliable and more modern VLocity train service to more people in regional Victoria
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“Through the North East Line Upgrade, and our investment in six new long haul VLocity trains, we’re delivering better public transport for regional Victoria.”