Ms Allan first flagged a trip to the North East on January 29, which was initially scheduled around budget time before she pencilled it in for May.

Her arrival in Wangaratta comes after the anticipated regional network development plan was released on Monday.

The plan was also late, having been promised to the public prior to the election.

Border Rail Action Group convenor Bill Traill said he was under-whelmed by the contents of the report.

“I just describe it as unsurprising but disappointing,” he said.

“There is no specificity in terms of the future, just a bland handout to all of the distance services.

“One thing that disappointed me was that the network plan didn't handle our cause for priority treatment because of the downturn on the line - a consequence of the rail track upgrades.”

The report aimed to set out a long-term plan, spanning about 20 years, for Victoria's regional transport needs and put an end to “ad hoc” spending.

Feedback was collected online and via public information sessions.

The Hume region had the most attendees at it's public meetings, which Mr Traill said was a sign of the level of “angst” within the community.

The plan also indicates the Hume region's population is expected to grow by almost 100,000 people in the next 15 years – more than any other region.

The government's main selling point for the North East was to deliver five V/Line services, five days a week in the long term.

Ms Allan would not put a time frame on when this may happen or say when the refurbishment of the current carriages would take place.

"This is the first ever long-term strategy for better public transport to Victoria's North East," she said.

“It sets out a long term plan for rolling stock and infrastructure improvements, to deliver more frequent, reliable and coordinated train, bus and coach services.

"I will be in the north east later this week, and look forward to discussing the long-term improvements the Regional Network Development Plan sets out for communities on the north east line and across regional Victoria."

The report outlines ‘future directions’ including improved track work and the replacement of the N-class fleet. Other items of improvement include station upgrades and more bus services connecting with stations, however no time frame has been set for any of these items.