They are solid numbers.  How do they compare to the ararat service?

It is interesting that in the Rail Revival Study, the average number of passengers per trip was quoted at 26.
I am not sure what time period that was based on or how old the figures were.
Again they do seem a bit light on just compared with my anecdotal counts that I have posted... I suppose I will just keep posting when I do travel.

And  Mike, I am not a daily user... once or at best twice per week . It would be helpful if other users could post some numbers as well.

That line badly needs more services so people can make day trips arriving in the morning and leaving at night. With what we have now visitors are forced to spend the night and the next train leaves early in the morning at 7am.

The timetable is designed to suit Vline more than anyone else. It s initial market seems to be students and workers going to and from Ballarat. Thats OK in itself but it does seriously limit the market. The comments on the day return are spot on . Also the weekend  down train leaving at 4pm  makes it impossible to go to the football or races or a matinee show etc because you have to leave half way through the performance. The Aratat train leaves at around 5:30pm which is much more sensible. I think this is to do with rostering, train availability  and related issues rather than what the public actuially wants or needs

The timetable is designed to suit Vline more than anyone else. It s initial market seems to be students and workers going to and from Ballarat. Thats OK in itself but it does seriously limit the market. The comments on the day return are spot on . Also the weekend  down train leaving at 4pm  makes it impossible to go to the football or races or a matinee show etc because you have to leave half way through the performance. The Aratat train leaves at around 5:30pm which is much more sensible. I think this is to do with rostering, train availability  and related issues rather than what the public actuially wants or needs

Do you acknowledge the fact that Maryborough has a smorgas board of Road coach services to and from both Ballarat and Castlemaine (that connect with trains)

Some people have the Idea that the two daily train services are the only public transport out and Into Maryborough.

The numbers quoted by observers ain't showing any more than a road coach load, so fat chance on getting any more services In and out of Maryborough.

Would vline have spare rolling stock for a service between Geelong and Ballarat?

Regards
Brian

I don't think so.

There are new  velocities coming which may mean some sprinters become available

There are new  velocities coming which may mean some sprinters become available

43 passengers arriving into Ballarat on the 0731 up this morning

I wrote an email to PTV recently querying the value of spending $2.5M providing a new station at Talbot when there is only 1 train service each way per day.

The response I received was that the stop at Talbot was an election commitment which is why it is happening and that PTV is looking to introduce a second service each way to Maryborough in the medium term.

Unfortunately there was no indication in the response as to how long 'medium term' is.

Ross

I would imagine they would form the Maryborough service off the current 6 car 0906 down Wendouree by dividing at Ballarat. Up service would connect with the 1547 up Wendouree, arriving Melbourne at 1729 in time to form a peak service.

1600 down Marybotough today 25th June 58 passengers leaving Ballarat

Not such a comfortable load for a bus  

By my calculations, more than three-quarters of all the seats on the train are empty (assuming a 3-car VLocity). As far as the extension of services to Maryborough is concerned, that's a train departing at the start of its journey with a load factor of less than 25%.  And that is considered a good day?  Not too many businesses could stay solvent with that figure...