Border Rail Action Group is not happy that new trains for the North East line will have fewer seats for passengers, but more space for wheelchairs.
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The Victorian government last month released the design for the VLocity trains, which included upgrades such as USB chargers and more comfortable seats, but a smaller capacity.
BRAG executive and technical member John Dunstan said the trains would only have 150 seats across three carriages, meaning two train sets would need to be coupled together for each journey to match the 320-seat capacity of the N-class trains currently in use.
"Consequently our scheduled services will be oversupplied with cafe bars, two? No! And wheelchair spaces, 12? No!" he said.
BRAG was involved in the consultation process before the new VLocity train design was finalised.
The Victorian government's plan was to have 12 wheelchair spaces with companion seats close by to make it easier for people of all abilities to travel.
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Government numbers suggested current North East trains had a 283-seat capacity, not the 320 stated by BRAG.
"We had extensive community consultation during the design of the new trains, which included the Border Rail Action Group, to ensure they meet the needs of all passengers travelling between Albury and Melbourne," a spokesman said.
"The six-car sets will be able to carry more passengers than the existing classic fleet trains and will be more accessible to make it easier for everyone to travel.
"The trains will also offer more modern catering facilities including shared tables so families or friends can dine and chat together."
The 80km/h speed limit remains between Melbourne and Albury, meaning V/Line trains are delayed as they take extra time to reach their destination and the XPT service is running as a coach so it can travel faster on the Hume Freeway.
"The patronage levels are appallingly low, which makes one wonder why V/Line persists with rail in these circumstances," the latest BRAG bulletin stated.
Its members were also worried about congestion on the road as people start moving around when coronavirus restrictions ease, stating it was "understandable, but not desirable in terms of congestion which cities experience in 'normal' times".
"The challenge now is for our city planners to address what is being promoted as the 'new norm'," BRAG stated.
"The twin cities of Albury-Wodonga are bereft of such a plan, relying heavily on the outdated streets and roads model to dictate their thinking.
"With its clear understanding of integrated transport systems, BRAG is, as ever, here to help."