Originally published September 14, 1993
Luxury road coaches have replaced The Vinelander train between Melbourne and Mildura in a new package of services which the State Government claims will save Victorian taxpayers $5 million a year.
The Public Transport Minister, Mr Alan Brown, said yesterday the last Vinelander train left Mildura on Sunday night and the new package of coach and train/coach services would take over along the corridor from yesterday.
A press release issued by the Minister yesterday claimed the package would erase $5 million – a reference pointed towards a $5.4 million annual loss the Government claims The Vinelander passenger train service amassed.
“The new luxury road coaches operating the overnight service are equipped with a mobile phone, have wheelchair access and kneeling devices to make it easier for elderly and disabled travellers to board or alight and have a toilet facility”, the press release announced.
“These coaches also have extra spacing between seats and will operate both Mildura and Melbourne from Sunday to Friday nights.
“Patronage on The Vinelander has declined in recent years and the train was costing Victorian taxpayers a subsidy of $84 for every passenger carried.”
Mr Brown said Mildura residents now had a choice of 38 services a week, compared with 26 previously provided.
“A new train/coach service between Mildura and Melbourne via Swan Hill will provide travellers with a whole new range of travel options.
“From Mondays to Thursdays this service will give Mildura residents, for the first time, day return journeys to Melbourne.”
“On Friday and Sunday a twilight Sunraysia Link service will offer the fastest surface journey of around seven hours between Melbourne and Mildura.”
“Sunraysia Link coaches will also have wheelchair access while trains between Swan Hill and Melbourne have on-board catering facilities.”
Mr Brown said the popular Sunlink train coach service via Bendigo will continue in both directions, seven days a week.
“This new package of services between Melbourne and Mildura provides a much wider choice of travel options, reduced journey times, continued access to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Swan Hill while at the same time saving Victorian tax-payers $5 million a year,” added Mr Brown.
