A VAST majority of people in Echuca who do not use the region's train service say the timetables aren't suitable.
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Almost 1000 people responded to the Railing Ahead survey from Campaspe Shire Council last month, in an attempt to gauge the community's opinion of its rail service.
Of those respondents, 97 per cent said they would be more likely to use the train if there were more return services on the same day and more frequent trains.
The survey found 87 per cent of people who do not use the trains blame unsuitable timetables for the lack of use.
Campaspe Shire mayor Leigh Wilson said the survey proved people living on the Echuca and Swan Hill lines wanted more trains.
"The Railing Ahead survey clearly shows that if the investment is made in providing additional train services at the times that people need them, locals will use that service," he said.
"With approximately 50,000 potential fare-paying passengers living on or near the Echuca and Swan Hill train lines, there is an opportunity to see a return on the government’s investment in Regional Rail link and to tap into the more frequent Bendigo-Melbourne train service."
Almost all respondents stated they felt train travel was the most comfortable and reliable way of travelling to and from Melbourne.
All northern Victorian municipalities will present a report on the findings to the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan, Public Transport Victoria and other members of parliament.
Ms Allan said the survey would be useful in helping PTV to form a new network development plan.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the results of that survey and passing those results on to Public Transport Victoria who are in the process of starting a regional network development plan," she said.
"Those survey results will be useful to inform that regional network development plan."
She said increasing train services was a "consistent message" from regional communities across Victoria.