The Hon. Annabelle Cleeland, The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Media Release, 15 August 2025

More frustrations are expected for the region’s train users, with passengers on the Seymour and Shepparton train lines set to face almost two months of bus replacements as whole sections of the lines will close for a staggering 55 days between September and November.

A 10-day shutdown in September will be followed by another 45 days of disruption in October and November, grinding services to a halt and leaving commuters stranded.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said the drawn-out works were representative of Labor’s mismanagement of Victoria’s regional train network.

“Labor has overpromised and underdelivered time and again, and now they are shutting down services for months to carry out work that experts say could have been done in just a week,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This dragged-out shutdown is another slap in the face to communities already dealing with cancelled services, overcrowded trains, and unreliable replacement buses. What should take weeks is now blowing out to months, with no transparency and no accountability.

“Months of disruption will punish passengers who rely on these services to get to work, school, medical appointments, and see loved ones.”

In addition to the impact it would have on everyday commuters, Ms Cleeland said organisations like the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre had been left out of pocket after being forced to cancel tourist trips on short notice due to the disruptions.

“The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, an incredible local organisation that is promoting tourism and the fascinating history of the railways in our region, is now set to lose over $40,000 due this government’s failure to give sufficient notice about these changes,” Ms Cleeland said.

These latest disruptions follow years of frustration from regional commuters, in particular those on the North-East train line between Albury and Melbourne.

“Every day I hear from locals on our trains who cannot book a seat, are forced to stand for hours, or crammed onto unreliable replacement buses,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This is the reality for regional commuters who are already isolated and left with no real alternative transport than these trains.

“Labor promised better regional rail, instead we’re left stranded.

“I have urged the Minister to immediately investigate these ongoing disruptions and provide a clear plan to ensure reliable, safe, and dignified travel for passengers in the north east.

“Labor can’t manage a project, can’t manage our public transport, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”