AT TUESDAY’S V/Line session in Leongatha, community members concerned about possible negative changes to the coach service between Yarram and Melbourne were assured the intention is to add additional services rather than removing any.
Attendees heard previously announced extra State Government funding will allow one extra service per day to be added, with consideration being given to whether to stop at Pakenham Station.
Currently, the coach service passes through Pakenham as it travels express between Koo Wee Rup and Southern Cross Station, but it does not stop at Pakenham Station.
Representatives of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) were at Leongatha Memorial Hall to outline what is being considered and urge members of the public to have their say by completing a survey.
There was a healthy turnout, with some having read online or heard of the possibility of coach services ending at Pakenham Station and passengers needing to complete the journey to Melbourne by rail.
However, attendees heard such an idea is strongly opposed by community and won’t be implemented.
They were told that DTP wants to understand when extra services would suit people and whether they would like those services to stop at Pakenham offering a variety of transport connections, but adding an estimated 20 minutes to the overall coach journey time to Melbourne for those who remain onboard.
Any changes to the Yarram-Melbourne coach service are not intended to be introduced until 2026, allowing time for those at DTP to thoroughly consider public feedback and how any additional services would tie in with transport links if stopping at Pakenham.
Some of Tuesday’s attendees mentioned the desirability of reduced coach wait times but some expressed concern about the added journey time that stopping at Pakenham would entail.
However, one gentleman was outspoken in support of commuters being given access to transport links there.
Another labelled the idea “ridiculous”.
Leongatha local, Anne Yerbury was pleased at the announcement that existing express services between Koo Wee Rup and Melbourne will continue.
“I don’t have a problem with a deviation to Pakenham, but if you’re trying to add that in with all the other stops, you’re going to add time (to) the trip into Southern Cross,” she said, noting she doesn’t want anyone on the existing route to suffer a reduction to coach services in their towns.
While Anne conceded everyone has their own views, she said additional services that stopped at Pakenham wouldn’t appeal to her and that she would rather drive than face a lengthier coach journey.
Meeniyan’s John Tebbutt came to the Leongatha session both as an individual and as a representative of Voices for Monash.
“I believe the V/Line service is critical for our region and I wanted to ensure we had V/Line listening to us and being engaged with the community,” he said.
John was concerned as to whether adding new services would lead to undesirable reductions in existing ones.
“I was pleased to hear that they don’t intend to change existing services,” he said.
He’s unsure whether a connection to Pakenham is needed, suggesting the possibility of improving the existing service to Dandenong.
Those wanting to have their say on what should happen with the Yarram to Melbourne coach service can do so by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/Yarram-Melbourne-VLine to complete the survey, with the feedback period closing on Sunday, June 29.