Chief executive John Fullerton faced a Senate Estimates hearing yesterday and admitted $100 million of rail works would not be enough to bring the track to the “class 2” rating the Victorian government says is needed to run VLocity trains.

Under questioning from Senator Janet Rice, he said “I’d prefer not to” reveal the exact figure.

She asked if he was claiming public interest in refusing to answer, then put to him the Victorian government’s estimate of $135 million – on top of the existing $100 million.

“I think it’s in the order of, but I’d like to go away and just check,” Mr Fullerton said.

“We haven’t had any discussions with Victoria, but it’s a sizable amount above the $100 million.”

He rejected the argument the lower standard track prevented the government from running VLocity trains to the North East.

“We don’t share that view,” he said.

“That’s a matter for Victoria, but I don’t think that would prevent VLocity trains running today - the XPT runs on that track today at 130km/h.”

The ARTC had planned for community consultation on the upgrade to begin in March, but that has been held up due to negotiations between the federal and Victorian governments.

Mr Fullerton said he expected details of the consultation would be revealed “in a matter of weeks”.

“We’re still looking at who best can represent the communities and we’re still open-minded about that,” he said.

“We will design that consultation so it satisfies everyone’s interests.”