Overland train service stays on track with cash boost

Overland train service stays on track with cash boost

More cash has been tipped in to maintain the Overland prepare service working between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Victoria will present $11.5 million over three years and SA $1.4m over 4 years to permit twice-weekly journeys to proceed.

Victorian Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll mentioned the Overland supported regional jobs and tourism.

“Since mid-2022, we’ve seen a strong passenger return to the Overland services,” he mentioned.

“Our continued investment in these services will provide more certainty for the Overland to operate until at least 2027.”

The service first ran because the Adelaide Express in 1887, earlier than turning into the Overland in 1926.

It has been operated by Journey Beyond since 1997 and carries greater than 20,000 passengers every year.

Deputy Premier Susan Close mentioned SA’s funding delivered on a Labor election promise after the earlier Liberal authorities axed monetary assist in 2020.

At that stage, Victoria continued its backing to make sure the prepare continued to run.

“This funding is utterly necessary to make this project work. To make this train affordable,” Dr Close mentioned.

“It is an important part of our tourism offering, it’s an important part of connecting our country towns with each other.”

Source: www.perthnow.com.au