A direct train line between Ballarat and Geelong existed until 1978, and now locals and politicians are calling for reconnection.
The current state: Right now, the one-hour drive between Victoria's second and third largest cities takes 2.5 hours by public transport with multiple service changes, or requires catching one of three daily coaches.
Rail Future Institute (RFI) president and former V/Line Chief Operating Officer John Hearsch said a passenger train comeback could be possible with minor upgrades and an estimated $100 million price tag.
Who? RFI is an independent group formed to promote “sustainable rail solutions” for both public and freight transport.
Doing the math: A direct trainline along the route seems like an obvious connection; it reduces the amount of cars on the road, which is good for the planet, and reduces fuel usage, which is good for the pocket.
So why doesn’t it exist?
Looking back: Historically, it did.
A trainline was first constructed in 1862 as a major railway link during the rapidly expanding gold rush that swept Victoria in the mid-19th century
The train stopped at Bannockburn, Lethbridge, Meredith, Elaine, Lal Lal, and Ballarat.
Parts of the track deteriorated over time and passenger travel was discontinued in 1978. Today, it transports freight and, rarely, heritage steam trains.
How would it work? Hearsch said reinstating the line is “one of the more feasibly deliverable projects”.
“[There would be] quite a bit of expenditure, but essentially the big cost is the main infrastructure, but that’s already there - in fact, it’s been there since 1862,” he told the Brolga.
Hearsch said the main works required to bring the track up to speed include:
Additional level crossings;
Track work in the Ballarat and North Geelong area, where the connection for the passenger line previously existed;
Minor upgrades between Ballarat and Gheringhap, where the line joins the existing Melbourne-Adelaide line;
Upgraded platforms at Lethbridge and Bannockburn.
RFI estimates the work would cost approximately $100 million. Hearsch said V/Line already has existing equipment that could be repurposed for the project: Sprinter trains, an older version of Velocity trains. Several remain functional and could be on the line.
“We worked on the basis of four return trips a day, which can be done with one train,” Hearsch said.
The local opinion: Danielle Maree is a Buninyong local and has worked in Geelong for 6 years. The fuel crisis earlier this year drove her to reconsider her transport options.
🗣️”It was like $25 a day to drive to work,” she told the Brolga. “This is just not sustainable; so much money out of my pay.”
Now, Maree uses the coach services a few days a week. She says she catches the 6:15am bus - the first of the day - and arrives home at 7pm.
There’s no service that coincides with the end of her work day.
Maree said she thinks “more people would head down for work or for shopping” if there was a direct train, “whereas now it’s easier to head to Melbourne”.
Nadine Curtis, another Ballarat local, said she frequents Geelong often for specialist medical appointments.
“It’s very difficult to juggle rides to and from Geelong, and I’m booked in [at the hospital] for a few days and I’m not allowed to drive for 24 hours after discharge.”
Curtis also said her son is completing school next year, and has been looking at studying at Deakin University in Geelong. She said it’s something he will “struggle with” because he doesn’t have a car.
Looking ahead: Reestablishing the passenger line is part of the Greens platform heading into the November state election.
Sam McColl, the Greens candidate for Eureka, told the Brolga that if you don’t have access to a car for health or accessibility reasons, travelling between the two cities is “unnecessarily difficult”.
“To me, having a high-quality public transport connection directly between them isn’t particularly radical. It just makes sense… good public transport is an accessibility issue and an equity issue as much as it is a transport issue.”
Emma Muir, the Liberal candidate for Eureka, told the Brolga she’s a “strong advocate for better public transport and connectivity across regional Victoria”.
“Too often, regional Victorians are left with unreliable connections to Melbourne and between regional centres like Ballarat and Geelong. I want to see that fixed as a priority.”
Chris Meagher, the Victorian Socialists candidate for Wendouree, said a passenger train service is the “best way to improve safety, reduce environmental impact and reduce car dependency for working class people”.
“Geelong and Ballarat are both growing quickly and more and more residents are put at risk by the need to commute or travel between these cities by car on a dangerous road.”
The Brolga also reached out to Michaela Settle MP, Member for Eureka, for comment.