An end to the frustration of travelling on unreliable North East trains will continue at least another year, after new rolling stock was officially not included in the 2017-18 Victorian budget.
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As announced during the week, the government committed $40 million - of its overall $1.45 billion package - to start design work on new trains for the North East line.
Treasurer Tim Pallas admitted on Tuesday the funding, allocated as part of the federal government's, was in the budget despite not having an official commitment from Canberra.
"Our regional rail revival plan, worth $1.45 billion, will be delivered if the federal government gives Victoria the full amount that it's owed as a result of the sale of the Port of Melbourne," he said.
"Better rail and public transport in regional Victoria ensures that communities are well-connected and all Victorians can get where they need to go, regardless of where they live.
"That's why it's time to give Victorian its fair share and invest in these projects."
But $311.1 million being spent on a redesign of 39 new VLocity carriages will finally allow them to run on the North East line, which had not been the case in the past because the track was designed differently to other rail lines around the state.
Speaking in Wangaratta last week, Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not commit to funding new rolling stock until the federal government committed to fixing the problematic rail line on its end - a question expected to be answered in next week's federal budget.
Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said the government recognised public transport was vital to connecting people to family and services.
"Regional Victorians deserve to have transport options that they can rely on, that they need," she said.
Trains were not the only area where the North East missed out:
Wodonga and Wangaratta both missed out on being one of the sites in the $448.1 million regional launch of of support and safety hubs for victims of family violence;
Those wanting the safety benefits of a Specialist Family Violence Court will have to go to Shepparton;
There was no mention of funding for Albury-Wodonga Health or Nolan House, but Ballarat will benefit from an $8 million 12-bedroom mental health facility;
Works will continue on the Hume Freeway, with an undiscolsed value, while $163 million will be spent on the South Gippsland Highway and other roads in South West Victoria.
