A LACK of interest from both sides of politics means the North East's train woes will not be solved, veteran businessman Bernie Mylon believes.
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The former Wodonga bus company owner, who had links to V/Line and its predecessor over three decades, was left frustrated this week by Victorian Transport Minister Jacinta Allan.
She told The Border Mail a lack of planning meant she could not fund new rolling stock for the North East line and instead it got $15 million in the Victorian budget, most of which will be spent on existing carriages.
Mr Mylon said he believed the North East would continue to endure dated carriages.
"I've been watching this for 30 years, they're not going to fix it," Mr Mylon said.
"It doesn't matter which government is in there's no votes in it for them.
"I don't think the urgency is there to do it, because why do it when they've got Ballarat, Bendigo – all those high population areas close to Melbourne – you don't need to do it.
"If they had untold dollars then we would get something, but they haven't got untold dollars and to be fair to them they're going to put the money where it is of most benefit to them."
Victorian Labor Government MLC Jaclyn Symes rejected Mr Mylon's view.
"That's nonsense – if you look at the latest budget this Labor government delivers for all Victorians," Ms Symes said.
"It doesn't matter how people vote, it's not what drives our decisions."
Ms Symes said she was pleased there had been progress on trains and the budget meant "the path had become clearer on the retirement of the ageing fleet".
Indi Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella blasted the budget outlay and Indi MP Cathy McGowan's acceptance of it.
"This is really bad news for us and only state Labor and Cathy McGowan would think this is good enough for North East Victoria," she said.
Ms McGowan said the result backed "the Indi way" and "consultative partnerships, community engagement and strong lobbying have been effective and this demonstrates how an Independent can deliver".