Cap price promise for V/Line fares

Travelling to and from the big smoke on public transport could be set to become a whole lot cheaper, with Premier Daniel Andrews pledging to cap V/line ticket prices.

The new pricing would be implemented should Mr Andrews and Labor win the state election this month.

Mr Andrews pledged to cap fares at the metro daily rate of $9.20 for a full fare and $4.60 for a concession ticket.

The announcement was part of a $1 billion election pledge package.

“Cheaper fares, comfortable trains and more frequent services — that’s what matters to commuters across regional Victoria, and that’s what Labor will deliver,” Mr Andrews said.

The Premier promised to order 23 new VLocity trains while also upping the number of weekend services on the regional network from 2024, which would see three return services on Saturday and Sunday on the Echuca line.

The boosted schedule would also see five return services on Saturday and Sunday on the Shepparton line and additional trains on Saturday and Sunday night services on the Bendigo line.

VLocity trains take about 21 months to manufacture and are made in Victoria.

The trains seat 222 passengers and include room for bicycles, a toilet and six wheelchair spaces with companion seats nearby.

The price cap includes one-way tickets to Melbourne, and it will apply to both train and coach services.

A statement from Labor said fares for regional commuters who used a myki pass to travel between 28 and 365 days a year would also be capped at the Melbourne rate, currently $5.52 per day.

The new pricing would come into effect in late March next year.