V/Line trains may soon become a more frequent sight in Creswick and Clunes.
Central Goldfields Shire is currently lobbying to increase the number of daily passenger services on the Maryborough rail line, which originates in Ballarat.
As part of its push, the council last week launched an online survey to gauge interest on the issue, having received over 200 responses so far.
That figure has delighted Shire CEO Peter Harriott, who describes it as a “fantastic” result.
“The community really [is] keen to communicate on this, and they’re talking to us about [the] increased ability to access schools [and] work,” Mr Harriott says.
“But of course in a fuel crisis, they’re very interested in public transport, which is great.”
Presently, just two passenger trains run along the Maryborough line per day, with the Shire calling for that number to be increased to five.
As well as benefitting commuters, Mr Harriott suggested having more frequent services would be welcomed by those with complex health needs.
“And of course, we get the regular bike riders that we see [at Maryborough] train station all the time, that’ve either come up on the train from Ballarat and are riding back along the gravel roads; or they’ve jumped on at Creswick, or are heading to Creswick for the bike trails down there, and then jumped on the train and come back,” he said.
Responses received as part of the survey will be collated and presented to the state government.
