The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has said that regional Victorians are continuing to be disadvantaged by the Allan Labor Governments bungled Myki upgrade.
From the 2023-24 Victorian State Budget, the Allan Labor Government allocated $543.6 million towards the public transport ticketing asset renewal project with a completion date of quarter four of 2026-27.
However, in this year’s state budget, the project represented a $136.7 million budget blowout and a delay of more than 18 months.
“Quite frankly it’s embarrassing that paper tickets are still being used on regional lines such as the Shepparton line in 2025.
“The technology to allow passengers to tap on with their personal devices has existed for some time now yet we still can’t even use a Myki card in the Goulburn Valley,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
This budget blowout and continued delays frustrate passengers on the Shepparton line who are yet to see the delivery of Stage 3 of the Shepparton Corridor Upgrade.
Ms O’Keeffe said the promise of increasing from 5 to 9 daily services to Melbourne are well overdue and these types of delays are unacceptable. Overcrowded trains are impacting on the safety of travellers with many having to stand for over two hours.
“This is a project that should have been completed in 2023, but we are now halfway through 2025 with no completion date in sight.
“The government continues to ignore our regions needs when it comes to transport, and our bus services are just another example. It has been over 15 years since our last bus review.
“During that time there has been significant growth in the region including new housing developments and new estates progressing.
“Transport plays a significant role in regional communities, whether it be train or bus services.
“This government needs to bring our transport services in line with the needs of our community including the latest technology which we are yet to see.
“The Allan Labor Government has completely mismanaged regional public transport, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
