Eastern Victoria Region
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:54): (1564) My question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport. The Labor government’s mismanagement of the Gippsland line has continued on for far too many years. The punctuality in 2024 was 82 per cent and has been as low as 67 per cent in February of last year, well below the expected 92 per cent performance benchmark, whilst the so-called upgrades have the Bairnsdale service offering 43 per cent fewer seats following these so-called upgrades. Passengers continue to be shunted onto unsuitable replacement buses to make way for metropolitan projects, and quite often, unfortunately, Gippslanders are left stranded on the side of the road when replacement bus services break down. Indeed the V/Line staff are just as frustrated as the passengers. Minister, when will the government prioritise quality service and meet punctuality targets, and will it provide funding in the upcoming budget?
Sitting suspended 12:55 pm until 2:02 pm.