V/Line services
Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (09:54): The new VLocity trains arrived at Warrnambool station on 1 December and were greeted by quite the crowd – I will correct that, it was 1 November; there is a timetable change on 1 December. Many patrons were excited to mark the occasion and enjoyed checking out the train before its return to Melbourne 2 hours later. Two carriages were particularly special to the All Abilities Advocacy group – they were so pleased and proud that their travel has been vastly facilitated with excellent access ramps, seamlessly opening doors to six spaces available to them and, so importantly, an accessible toilet. I sincerely thank them for their years of passionate advocacy, and I thank Minister Williams and her team for directing the work, and predecessor ministers as well. There were fresh sandwiches and food available at the station thanks to our advocacy, and from 1 December an additional return service on Saturday and Sunday, which is also very exciting. My thanks to the V/Line staff who made the occasion special, answering many questions about the upgrading of the service and providing fun V/Line show bags for everyone.