However, state Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell says that as of August 2024, the stage three upgrade has still not been completed, and the promised nine services are nowhere to be seen.
The government, for its part, says civil construction for stage three is complete, with upgrades delivered as part of stage three including the extension of the Murchison East passing loop, allowing 1200m freight trains and two six-car VLocity trains to pass each other.
Speaking in parliament in April, Ms Lovell asked the government when the full nine weekday return services would start running, and if additional carriages could be added to existing services as an interim measure to ease the overcrowding.
According to Ms Lovell, the 2024-25 state budget also lacks a completion date for the stage three works, which she said was of great concern.
“Shepparton rail users are being forced to suffer intolerable overcrowding and an unacceptable delay in promised new services because the Allan Labor Government can’t manage money or projects,” Ms Lovell said.
“Delivery of the additional services is already 12 months overdue.”
The News asked the government when the upgrades would be completed.
“We won’t take lectures from the Liberals and Nationals, who only know how to do one thing when it comes to transport in regional Victoria — cuts and closures,” a government spokesperson said.
“We’re getting on with the complex signalling work needed as part of stage three of the Shepparton line upgrade to enable more services between Shepparton and Melbourne when the project is complete.
“This work is needed for the introduction of a new signalling system, which will future-proof the line and will enable nine daily services once the project is complete.”
