News

Public Transport | December 06, 2018

Kealy calls for firm commitment to return passenger rail

The Nationals re-elected Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy has called on the Andrews Labor Government to provide a firm commitment to return passenger rail services to Horsham and Hamilton, after Great Southern Rail announced The Overland will cease operation at the end of this year.

“The return of passenger rail services to Horsham and Hamilton was a major commitment made by The Nationals during the election campaign and was emphatically supported by Lowan voters,” Ms Kealy said.

“I have been working hard for the return of passenger rail services to western Victoria and given this recent announcement, this project must be a priority for the Andrews Labor Government.

“The Overland is the only passenger rail service in our region connecting us to Melbourne and Adelaide.

“Given our only rail service will cease at the end of this year, it is now more important than ever that Daniel Andrews makes good on his commitment to ‘deliver for all Victorians’ by bringing back passenger rail services to Horsham and Hamilton.

“I call on the Andrews Labor Government to act quickly to deliver this critical project and the significant benefits it will provide for western Victoria,” she said.

The Overland runs twice a week between Adelaide and Melbourne, carrying about 17,000 passengers a year. The service stops in Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat and Geelong.