The Geelong community will have access to more trains for the summer period as thousands continue to enjoy cheap fares.
The Geelong train line will have 88 new and extended weekend services starting on December 1, running between Melbourne and Waurn Ponds every 20 minutes throughout the week.
The extra services followed the state government’s fare cap, with 37 million trips taken on regional trains and coaches since it commenced last year and 92,000 trips taken on a single day last month.
A return ticket to Geelong cost up to $27.60 before being capped to a daily metro fare of $10.60 from March 31, 2023.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the regional fare cap helped save people nearly $100 million.
Ms Willams also said the updated timetable and fares would make services between Melbourne and Geelong the fastest and most frequent rail connection between two cities in Australia.
“With cheaper fares and more services, we’ve made taking the train to work, or to visit regional Victoria, a more attractive and affordable option for people,” she said.
The state government has added more than 900 new services on the V/Line network every week since 2015.
An extra 200 weekend services were funded through the 2023/24 state budget, which will be progressively rolled out across the regional network.
