News

Public Transport | December 23, 2019

Kealy continues fight for better public transport services

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy is demanding better public transport services for western Victoria, with The Overland rail service ceasing operation at the end of this year.

Following an announcement in late 2018 that The Overland would cease operation at the end of the year, Ms Kealy successfully gained State Government funding to extend the service until the end of 2019.

However no further commitment has been received from Labor, with the service scheduled to finish at the end of this month.

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.

“It is incredibly disappointing, but not surprising, that the Premier for Melbourne hasn’t had the guts or respect for Lowan residents to come out and publicly announce that Labor will not be funding this important service beyond the end of this month,” Ms Kealy said.

“Our region needs and deserves better access to public transport services and that’s why before the election the Liberal Nationals committed to bring back passenger rail services to Hamilton and Horsham and expand coach connections across our region. 

“If Labor are not going to continue The Overland service it is critical that this money is not pulled from our region and is instead directed to improving public transport services across western Victoria.

“I am once again calling on Daniel Andrews to make good on his commitment to ‘deliver for all Victorians’ by committing to bring back passenger rail services to Hamilton and Horsham and improving local coach connections.”