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Victoria’s experiment with free public transport is creating headaches for regional V/Line customers, with the suspension of ticket sales leaving them uncertain if they will have a seat on long train journeys.
A month of free travel on all public trains, trams and buses statewide started on Tuesday.
The Allan government says the $71 million initiative will deliver cost-of-living relief and help to ease fuel shortages by encouraging Victorians to switch from driving.
But regional operator V/Line has also paused reservations on long-distance train services during the free travel period, meaning passengers risk having to stand up on journeys of more than three hours or not travel at all.
V/Line ordinarily takes booking on services to Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool, while shorter journeys are unreserved.
John Dunstan, of Border Rail Action Group in Albury-Wodonga, said the decision was baffling and jeopardised essential travel.
“Think about people trying to make plans to get to Melbourne for a medical appointment, and they’re told they just have to go up to the railway station and hope they can get on,” he said.
“You might be sitting on the floor, or you might not be able to get on if it’s that crowded.”
Dunstan said Albury V/Line trains had been overcrowded since the state government slashed fares in line with the metropolitan daily fair cap (currently $11.40), and Albury services were usually fully booked.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said he suspected V/Line had paused bookings because it was concerned customers would book free seats and not show up, which happened when the state government removed camping site booking fees in 2024.
“But it means that people can’t be sure they’re going to get on board a train,” he said. “So for anyone planning a trip, especially over the Easter break, there’s real uncertainty whether they can make that trip.
“It’s not like catching Metro – you could be standing for hours. It really is important they look at what they could do about bookings and also provide as much capacity as they can.”
Passengers still need to book a free ticket to ride on V/Line coaches. V/Line said it would honour existing seat reservations made for the free travel period but would refund the cost of the ticket.
Transport Victoria said it was too early to provide data showing whether there was a bump in passenger numbers or a decline in vehicle traffic on Tuesday.
Bowen said passenger feedback suggested the network was busier than usual. The government would need to boost services if there was overcrowding and run extra services so people in areas without public transport could benefit, he said.
A full-fare, five-day-a-week commuter will save $250 during the free month of travel, or $205 if they use a monthly or yearly myki pass.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said on Tuesday that priority seating would still be available on V/Line trains for passengers with accessibility needs. V/Line could also deploy back-up buses and additional carriages where necessary.
“They are there to support passengers who need it at a time when we do expect that our network will be busier,” Williams said.
A V/Line spokesperson added: “We will continue to closely monitor patronage across the network over coming weeks and where possible, have coaches on standby at key locations to assist passengers.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said the number of service stations without fuel had dropped since the weekend. There were 82 without diesel and 40 without petrol, down from 99 and 42 on Saturday.
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Patrick Hatch is transport reporter at The Age and a former business reporter.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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