General News
16 October, 2025
MP raises concern for summer rail travel
FEARS the region’s public transport may buckle under the pressure associated with free travel over Christmas has seen one MP slam the state as failing to prepare.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell has raised concerns the state’s rail lines will not be prepared for the upcoming summer travel surge after the state announced its free public transport program over December and January.
She said overcrowding on the Warrnambool line was already compromising passenger safety and the government’s free travel scheme threatened to exacerbate the problem.
“With free public transport over summer, we’re expecting more people on our trains – and that’s a good thing for tourism and local businesses,” Ms Britnell said.
“But we’ve seen this before. A lack of planning causes safety risks and overcrowding.
“It’s not good when families are forced to stand for hours on packed carriages.
“It’s uncomfortable, it’s unsafe and it’s entirely preventable.”
Ms Britnell said the solution was straightforward – increasing the capacity to allow six-carriage trains to run all the way to Warrnambool.
“Right now, three carriages are routinely dropped at Waurn Ponds,” she said.
“Why? The extra carriages are sitting idle just up the line.
“They’re available, they should be used and this government has no excuse.
“I’ve raised this in Parliament, I’ve spoken to concerned parents and I’ve heard from locals who are fed up with being treated like second-class citizens.
“The government’s refusal to act is nothing short of arrogant.”
Ms Britnell said she was aware of other regions, both in Victoria and interstate, where longer trains operate safely despite platforms on the line being even shorter.
“Passengers simply move forward to disembark,” she said.
“It’s not rocket science.
“It works elsewhere and it can work here,” she said.
“This is about basic safety, fairness, and respect for regional communities.
“This out-of-touch Allan Labor Government must stop ignoring regional passengers and start delivering the services we deserve.”