Ballarat line passengers will have more travel options than ever before, with 125 new services added to the timetable every week as the Victorian Government’s Ballarat Line Upgrade delivers major improvements to the rail corridor.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today announced as part of a redesign of the state’s train timetable an extra 45 peak services will be added to the Ballarat line from 31 January – giving passengers a train every 20 minutes during the peak while trains will run every 40 minutes throughout the day.

The Ballarat Line Upgrade has delivered the new signalling systems, extra crossing loops and duplication at key sections along the line that allow these 20-minute services to run for the first time, paving the way for the services Ballarat Line passengers need.

The timetable changes will also change which stations some trains stop at, bringing hundreds of new services to Melbourne’s growing outer western suburbs, including with more than 200 extra services at Cobblebank, Rockbank and Deer Park stations each week and 140 more services at Melton.

All trains from Ballarat will stop at Bacchus Marsh – providing  more peak express services to Southern Cross Station including 10 additional extra services between Bacchus Marsh and Southern Cross stations each week.

An upgrade to Ararat Station’s train stabling facilities will allow a new weekday service to the town – improving access to Ballarat and through to Melbourne for people in Western Victoria.

To make sure regional Victorians beyond the train lines can better access their closest train stations, V/Line coaches will be re-coordinated with the new timetable in January – while Melbourne buses will gradually be brought in line with the new trains in February and April next year.

To keep passengers safe, extra cleaning of all public transport facilities will continue across the network and hand sanitising facilities will stay at key stations and stops. Victorians are reminded to play their part in keeping our state safe by always wearing a mask on public transport, practising  good hygiene and never travelling when unwell.

The new timetables will be available at ptv.vic.gov.au from 8 January 2021. Buses will replace trains for the final works on the Ballarat Line Upgrade from Monday 28 December 2020 to Saturday 30 January 2021.

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“We’re delivering the benefits of the Ballarat Line Upgrade – giving the Ballarat community more frequent trains than ever and improving access to jobs, healthcare and education for the growing communities along the line.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

“We’re introducing the biggest timetable change in a decade – delivering 450 extra train services to our busiest lines to give Victorians more options on their journeys and increase capacity on our trains.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“We’re excited to be introducing 125 extra Ballarat line services – to give passengers more options and help them practice better physical distancing as we all play our part to stay safe.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“This new timetable will improve reliability and flexibility for the Ballarat community by delivering more frequent trains – especially during peak commute times.”