Overland train service to live on thanks to injection of funds from the Victorian Government

The Overland train service will live on for another year, thanks to a much needed injection of funds from the Victorian Government.

The Overland rail service will survive for another year.

THE Overland rail service will live on for another year, thanks to an additional $200,000 in funding from the Victorian Government.

Great Southern Rail, which manages the 131-year-old link between Adelaide and Melbourne, has also pledged an extra $130,000 to cover the cost of the service until the end of 2019.

The long-term fate of the service, however, still remains in doubt as the South Australian Government stands by the axing of funding after the end of 2018.

On Tuesday night, Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said there were no plans to provide South Australian funding for the service.

“It’s welcome news that the Overland service can continue without being subsidised by South Australian taxpayers,” Mr Knoll said.

“The Overland’s patronage has fallen steadily and significantly over the last two decades from over 100,000 passengers a year to around 17,000.

“South Australian taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to subsidise this service and people need to vote with their feet and use the Overland if they want it to continue into the future.”

Great Southern Rail managing director Steve Kernaghan

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas

Victorian Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne took aim at her South Australian counterpart as she announced the funding yesterday.

“We’ve stepped in because the Overland provides an important connection to South Australia and for people in Western Victoria, and because it’s an Australian rail treasure,” Ms Horne said.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas said the Daniel Andrews Government stepping in to save the service was “deeply embarrassing” for the State Government.

“The Liberals cut this service and now another government has had to step in to save it,” he said.

“I thank the Andrews Labor Government for ensuring this iconic service can continue.”

Managing director of Great Southern Rail Steve Kernaghan said the company had committed to a full review of the service in 2019 to examine its long term viability.

“After productive discussions over recent days, the Victorian Government has made an additional $200,000 contribution to its existing funding agreement to support the operation of the Adelaide-Melbourne service,” Mr Kernaghan said.

“Great Southern Rail has made the decision to absorb a further $130,000 in operational costs to ensure the level of required financial support is met for this service.”

Bookings for the 2019 Overland service will open today.