Originally published September 14, 1993
A Mildura bound Melbourne woman claims she was forced to travel by coach on Sunday night because of an alleged mud slide in Ballarat.
Miss Barbara Rouch, 35 or Bundoora, said she had purchased a train ticket on Sunday and arrived at Spencer Street Station only to be told by the Public Transport Corporation not to board The Vinelander because a mud slide in Ballarat had restricted train travel.
“I am familiar with the Melbourne to Mildura train route and I have never heard of a mud slide in Ballarat before.” Miss Rouch said.
“Employee’s at the Melbourne station told passengers not to board the train even though some of the luggage already had been loaded on to the train.”
Miss Roach claimed she had approached V/Line employees at the information office, booking office and baggage handling and they all said a mud slide in Ballarat was the reason for the delay.
“I actually asked a baggage handler if the real reason for the train not leaving was Jeff Kennett but he stuck to the mud slide story,” she said.
The train had left the station and passengers grudgingly boarded two coaches at 9.55pm for the nine hour journey to Mildura.
“Although the train is uncomfortable for me there were elderly passengers and a woman with a young baby who had booked sleepers for the trip” Miss Rouch said.
With little other choice Miss Rouch boarded the V/Line coach home to Melbourne at 9.10pm last night.
Interested in reading more about the axing of The Vinelander
