Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (14:08): (772) My question is to the minister for transport on behalf of constituents who are fed up with the ongoing disruptions on our train lines. Commuters are increasingly frustrated with train cancellations and delays, swapping to buses and industrial action on the Bendigo line. Recent figures show Bendigo trains are cancelled more often than most other regional lines. Ongoing industrial action is causing chaos for commuters. People rely on the train to get to work or medical appointments, go to school or visit Bendigo as tourists. More disruption was planned for this Friday, which has since been cancelled. It is hard for commuters to keep track and change plans. The reduction in fares has also seen increased usage across the regional network, resulting in overcrowding and uncomfortable services on trains and coaches. The disruption has been going on for months, and I ask the state government to explain what is being done to manage this situation and to come to an agreement to get our regional train services back on track.
Bev McArthur: On a point of order, Acting President, I would ask that you ask the President to review the answer that the Minister for Disability gave me this morning, because she did not answer the question. I would like that reviewed with a view to her actually answering the question as asked.
The ACTING PRESIDENT (John Berger): I will pass that on.