Following the launch of the Victorian Government's Big Switch initiative, designed to improve public transport speed and reliability across the state, Premier Jacinta Allan also announced an expansion of regional train services, including to and from Echuca.
There are now four additional weekend services between Echuca and Melbourne, making weekend travel more convenient.
Updated train times leaving Echuca Station
Monday to Friday: 7.23am, 11.17am, 3.15pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7.25am, 12.07pm, 4.07pm
It was also announced that 18 new services would run on the Traralgon Line and an additional 10 along the Seymour Line.
The additions soften the blow for local passengers as they prepare to switch to coaches ahead of the line’s annual maintenance, from Monday, February 23 to Sunday, March 8.
Coach replacements are expected to add 60 minutes of travel time for passengers travelling between Southern Cross, Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill.
In the meantime, Echuca trains will operate with increased frequency, providing passengers with more travel options.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said she was confident that “it’s just the start” of providing better and more frequent options for all passengers.
“The changes today will take time for passengers to get used to, but it’s worth it for a bigger, better, faster system,” she said.