Shepparton residents in PJ protest to demand better train services

UPDATE: MORE than 100 Shepparton locals today called on the Minister for Transport to improve rail services.

UPDATE: MORE than 100 Shepparton locals travelled by train to Melbourne this morning, many still wearing their pyjamas, to call on the Minister for Transport to commit to improve rail services to and from Shepparton.

“We need more rail services; we only have four services to Melbourne a day, and three return to Shepparton,” Independent Shepparton MP Suzanna Sheed said.

“Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Traralgon get 20 services a day.

“Shepparton is the fifth major regional centre in Victoria and its time that we got looked at for increased services.”

Ms Sheed said there were about 120 people who caught the 6:31am train from Shepparton to Melbourne.

The protesters rallied on the steps of Parliament House before Ms Sheed called directly on Transport Minister Jacinta Allen in question time to commit to better regional rail services out of Shepparton.

Speaking outside Parliament House Ms Sheed said her community’s “wider catchment is equal to Bendigo’s”.

“So why are we being left behind when it comes to rail investment?” she said.

“At this stage we’re asking for three more services to be delivered as soon as possible, but we know there has to be major infrastructure works on the tracks and level crossings between Seymour and Shepparton.

“We know it’s going to take time, but we want to start now. We want a commitment now.”

Shepparton Mayor Dennis Patterson was still in his pyjamas when he arrived at Parliament.

“This is actually the mayoral robes,” Cr Patterson said tongue-in-cheek.

He wore his pyjamas because he said anyone wanting to catch a rail service from Shepparton into the city wouldn’t have time to dress.

“Our trip here today was three and a half hours,” Cr Patterson said.

“Now you can’t do that on a daily commute — it’s too long. I reckon it’s only an hour quicker than it used to be with the Cobb and Co. coach.

“It’s not about pyjamas; it’s about rail services.

“I’ll wear anything — apart from nothing — to get better service for our rate payers, our kids, our grandkids. But we need it now, not in another 30 years.”

Cr Patterson said the people of Shepparton were missing out on access to education and services by not having suitable public transport to the city.

Shepparton farmer Gordon Hamilton, wearing a pink dressing gown, said Shepparton had “the best of everything — water, sunshine, fruit — except rail services!”

Shooters and Fishers Party MPs Jeff Bourman and Daniel Young and several National Party MPs joined the protesters on the steps of Parliament to hear Ms Sheed speak.