If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is it a duck? Bill Traill says no.
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While some might have thought the new-look V/Line train rolling into Albury Station on Wednesday was new, the Border Rail Action Group Chairman knew better.
The refurbished train joins a previous fleet of three.
The addition will help reduce the number of passengers forced onto coaches, as the service will no longer be operating on the bare minimum.
Northern Victoria MLA Jaclyn Symes took the train to Euora on Wednesday and praised its refurbishment, but a media release from Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan’s office referred to the train as “new”.
“After four years of complete inaction under the former Liberal Government, it’s so exciting to see our new train hit the tracks,” it reads.
Mr Traill said the carriages “looked pretty”, but a face-lift would never substitute for the replacement of the rolling stock.
“This so-called tarting up and other minor adjustments that might have been made represent 0.086 per cent of the state regional rail budget last year, and Minister Jacinta Allan has been inclined to say ‘we’re doing our bit’.
“Well, it’s a very small ‘bit’.”
The refurbishment of bogies, re-upholstering and installation of more accessible toilets was part of a $15 million investment.
There were mixed reactions from passengers to the new-look train, which arrived more than five minutes early.
Tori Nikolakakis, an 18-year-old Melbourne University student, took the train to return to her home town of Albury for the Easter study break.
“It was my third time using the train and I can't believe it was early today; last time it was half an hour late,” she said.
“I slept most of the way, so the seats must have been decent.”
All eyes will be on the state and federal budgets in May for new rolling stock and track improvements.
Mr Traill said he wasn’t optimistic.
“We’re in competition with (a rail link) to Tullamarine along with Bairnsdale and Warrnambool,” he said.
“Who knows who will be the priority; I know for certain the three distance lines won’t be competing with Tullamarine.
“This is the same story all over again.”
