Bendigo and Echuca rail line gets $300 million boost

Faster and more frequent services are set to be made possible on the Bendigo and Echuca Rail line as it receives a $300 million funding boost from state and federal government.

Funding will go towards creating a modernised electric train ordering system, which will be a first for Victoria.

The system will allow faster and more frequent services to Echuca and more services between Epsom, Eaglehawk and Bendigo.

The line will also receive three new stations at Goornong, Raywood and Huntly as part of a $49.6 million Victorian Government investment in Bendigo Metro 3.

In addition, ten level crossings between Eaglehawk and Bendigo will be upgraded with better train detection technology, boosting safety and allowing more services to run in this section.

These upgrades are expected to triple the number of week-day return services to Echuca.

The system will make use of the existing telecommunication networks and radio equipment already fitted on V/Line trains, enabling services to run safer and more often.

In the future this technology could be used across the V/Line network to provide more services in other parts of regional Victoria.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said this extra funding will get shovels in the ground faster, delivering more trains more often for Bendigo and Echuca passengers.

“These critical upgrades will mean better services for passengers while creating jobs and providing a much- needed boost to the regional economy through and beyond the pandemic,” Ms. Allan said.

The extra funding comes under the Regional Rail Revival program and brings the total investment in Victoria’s regional rail network to more than $2 billion.