Expensive taxi rides released

V/Line spent more than $100,000 on taxis to take Gippsland people to vital medical and work appointments over an 18-month period when trains were cancelled.

The State Opposition says the payments from July 2018 to November were eventually disclosed after a 12-month battle to have them released under Freedom of Information.

Shadow Public Transport Minister (Regional) Steph Ryan said one trip, from Bairnsdale station, cost $753.90.

She said almost two-thirds of the 621 replacement taxi trips for Gippslanders cost more than $100.

It is an indication of how often country train services are cancelled, break down or are inaccessible to people with disabilities, Ms Ryan said.

The $102,644 cost of taxis V/Line paid for in Gippsland included trips from Warragul, Drouin, Yarragon, Longwarry, Bunyip and Nar Nar Goon.

According to the Opposition, Gippsland accounted for about 30 per cent of the $343,589 spent on replacement taxis statewide over the course of the 18 months.

Ms Ryan accused the government of not being prepared to make the investment needed to give Gippsland people reliable, fast, modern and comfortable train services they deserved.

It’s not good enough that country people can’t arrive on time at medical or work appointments or have their access to further education and training hampered by poor train services, she said.

The Federal and State governments recently announced the appointment of a contractor for a major upgrade to the Gippsland line between Pakenham and Traralgon but did not indicate when construction was likely to start or be completed.

Among the works are a second rail line between Longwarry and Bunyip and second platforms at those stations.