Overland rail: Melbourne-Adelaide passenger service subsidy about to end

The Overland passenger service has hit a financial barrier with the Melbourne to Adelaide service not being funded by one state’s Government.

THE future of the Overland passenger service from Melbourne to Adelaide hangs in the balance, with a $300,000 Victorian Government subsidy for the privately-run service about to end.

Victorian Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne’s spokesman said the minister had written to the South Australian Government urging it to reinstate its share of funding for the service.

But the South Australian Government has refused the request.

“We’ve provided funding so the Overland train service can continue until March 31, 2020,” the spokesman said.

“(But) given the South Australian Government’s refusal to fund their portion of the service, Victoria is considering its future options.”

The Overland train has about 19,000 passengers a year.

Supporters of the service have been lobbying Minister Horne and Federal Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack for funds.

But advocate and former chief executive of West Coast Rail Donald Gibson said he had received no support from either minister.

He said losing the Overland would be a tragedy, not just for those wanting to enjoy the pleasure of rail travel, but for the Victorian and SA towns it served — Ararat, Horsham, Nhill, Kaniva, Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge.