Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Wednesday, 9 March, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Posted on Wednesday 9th of March, 2016,
Results from RACV’s second On Track survey have revealed that a lack of station car parking and seating on trains are among a number of train station and train service issues that most concern Victoria’s regional rail commuters.
The On Track five week survey was launched last October and attracted more than 17,800 respondents.
The results revealed regional commuters were also concerned about car park safety, trains not running on time, poor connecting bus services, a lack of staff and toilet facilities and inadequate station shelter.
The On Track survey results aim to highlight the improvements needed on the rail network and to pin point the issues that are of most concern to train travellers.
The train station to receive the best score in the On Track survey was Wyndham Vale on the Geelong train line, with an average score of 8.95 out 10. This is a new station that opened in June 2015 as part of the State Government’s Regional Rail Link Project.
TOP 5 VLINE STATIONS
The regional station that rated the lowest was at Shepparton with a score of 5.98.
BOTTOM 5 VLINE STATIONS
-Car park is not safe/secure
-Don’t feel safe at certain times of the day
-Poor connecting bus services to and from the station
-Insufficient/lack of toilet facilities
-Inadequate shelter
-Not enough seats
- Difficulty finding a car park at the station
-Not enough seats /shelter
-Insufficient/lack of toilet facilities
- Poor connecting bus services to and from the station
-Not enough staff to assist
-Don’t feel safe at certain times of the day
-Not enough seats/Difficult to use or purchase tickets/Poor lighting
-Difficulty finding a car park at the station
-Car park is not safe/secure
-Don’t feel safe at certain times of the day
-Not enough seats
Ms Gunatillake said four of the lowest five ranking train services across Victoria were from V/Line stations that service the north east.
“The improvements in the west with Regional Rail Link have put some V/Line stations and services at the top of the rankings but at the same time, other parts of the state have not seen the same level of investment in the rail system overall, which is why these stations made it into the top five worst list.
“When it came to train services, the Kangaroo Flat station on the Bendigo line rated the highest scoring 8.66 – the lowest rating station for service was the Wodonga station on the Seymour line with the top complaints being late, infrequent services and dirty carriages.”
Ms Gunatillake said the provision of adequate car parking at train stations is an urgent issue and additional parking and better bus services are clearly needed.
“Many regional commuters struggle to find a spot and better alternatives for getting to the station must be provided, including better bus connections.” Ms Gunatillake said.
Ms Gunatillake said the issue of safety was a common theme across the survey results, highlighting the need for a closer look at some stations on the regional rail network. She said perceptions of safety can be influenced by a whole range of factors including lighting, station layout and the design of pedestrian paths and car parks.
“We know that almost three quarters of our 2.1 million members state wide use public transport and want to see rail services improved.
“RACV is again proposing that urgent investment in regional public transport is needed to address the key issues identified by commuters, to improve rail way stations and train services.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Dinny Adem says the survey results from the RACV only confirm what Greater Shepparton rail users have known for decades.
“The Shepparton station is a reflection of the neglect and disregard that successive Governments have maintained for rail services to Greater Shepparton,” said Cr Adem.
“We will continue to lobby the State Government in the hope they may realise the real potential of the Greater Shepparton region as Victoria's premier economic, and cultural powerhouse regional city,” he said.
For the full survey results go to: racv.com.au/ontracksurvey
BOTTOM 5 VLINE SERVICES FROM STATIONS
STATION
TRAIN LINE
RATING
TOP ISSUES
Wodonga
NE Line (Albury)
3.68
· trains not being on time,
· services too infrequent
· dirty carriages.
Wangaratta
Seymour
4.30
· Not enough seating
· Services too infrequent
· Poor air condition, ventilation / too crowded
Shepparton
Shepparton
4.80
· services infrequent
· too slow
· dirty carriages
Albury
NE Line (Albury)
5.24
· trains not on time
· too slow
· too infrequent
Benalla
Seymour
5.81
· services too infrequent
· trains not on time
· too slow
More News from Greater Shepparton
Thursday 30th of April,
Council welcomes PET scanner funding for GV Health, but greater cancer care investment still needed
Greater Shepparton City Council has acknowledged the Victorian Government’s announcement of $7.1 million in the 2026/27 State Budget to operationalise a new PET scanner at Goulburn Valley Health, describing it as a positive but limited step toward meeting… Read more
Thursday 30th of April,
Council endorse land acquisition to improve safety at busy Numurkah Road intersection
Greater Shepparton City Council have endorsed the purchase of a small parcel of land from IGA, to support the planned upgrade of the Numurkah Road and Hawkins Street intersection in Shepparton. Read more
Wednesday 29th of April,
Council endorses pathway to rebuild Shepparton Italian Social Club building
Greater Shepparton City Council has set a clear pathway for the reinstatement of the former Shepparton Italian Social Club building, endorsing a recommendation at its April Council Meeting on Tuesday. Read more
Wednesday 29th of April,
Greater Shepparton overlooked in State Budget road funding
Greater Shepparton has again been overlooked in the Victorian Government’s upcoming 2026/27 State Budget, with no funding allocated to address congestion, road safety or critical freight routes across the municipality. Read more
Tuesday 28th of April,
Greater Shepparton misses out again as bus funding focuses on metro routes
The State Government’s latest public transport announcements have again highlighted significant inequities between metropolitan and regional Victoria, with just three improvements identified across regional areas and no commitment to review outdated… Read more
Monday 27th of April,
Road maintenance funding does not address long term regional challenges
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the latest announcement from the Victorian Government of a $1 billion allocation for regional road maintenance is not an increase in investment for regional Victoria. Read more
See All News
Want to get the latest news and events in your Facebook feed?
Just go to our Facebook page and click the Like button.
More Events in Greater Shepparton
Saturday 2nd of May,
Tatura Market
Join us for a community market, featuring live music, kid’s activities and an array of stalls with unique gifts just in time for Mother's Day! Read more
Saturday 2nd of May,
GV Horse Gear Market
Great way to sell unwanted horse gear, or for buying horse gear bargains. Rugs, saddles, bridles, clothing etc. Read more
Wednesday 6th of May,
Author Talk at Shepparton Library - James Wrigley: Retire Life Ready
Join James Wrigley, author of Retire Life Ready, for a practical, engaging session on creating the retirement you want. Read more
Saturday 2nd of May,
Shepparton Gators - Round 6
Big V Basketball is here!! Get ready for high-energy basketball and show your support for the Women's and Men's Big V Gators. Go GATORS! Read more
Saturday 2nd of May,
Storytelling with Nature
Storytelling was an important way of developing connection with nature and with community, but it no longer has an important place in our busy lives. Read more
Tuesday 5th of May,
Riverlinks and Winding Road Productions present Fever! - The Songs of Peggy Lee -- AN AFTERNOON DELIGHT
She is best remembered for her finger-snapping style as she sang about Romeo & Juliet and Captain Smith’s little crush on Pocahontas - but she’s so much more than just the diva that gave us Fever! View on Riverlinks
See All Events