And they are being encouraged to do so by the new chairwoman of V/Line.

Bendigo woman Jenny Dawson was this week appointed as head of the public transport organisation.

The former director of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and current director of Sandhurst Trustees has wasted little time in getting down to work, meeting for the first time with V/Line chief executive Theo Tailfos in Bendigo on Friday.

Her appointment comes as V/Line and Public Transport Victoria continues work on a plan for the short, medium and long-term development of public transport in regional Victoria.

The Regional Network Development Plan will set out priorities for regional public transport services, infrastructure and investment over the next 20 years.

Representing the Loddon Mallee region on regional development committees over the past 13 years, Ms Dawson is confident she has a good grasp of the region’s rail issues.

“This (representation) has certainly given me a sense of how important each of the communities, especially in the Loddon Mallee region, value railways and connection,” she said.

“That’s not just passenger but also freight, especially in the areas further north of Bendigo.”

“I would encourage everyone to have a say on the Regional Network Development Plan, that’s the only we can inform the long-term planning of the network.”

Commuters will have their chance to have a say when a series of community workshops visit Bendigo, Castlemaine and Echuca during August.

A workshop is also planned this month in Maryborough.

Mr Tailfos said he look forward to working with Ms Dawson on strengthening the V/Line brand.

The former chief operating officer of Queensland Rail said he was dedicated to making the organisation more customer-friendly.

“I have been in Victoria two years and the one thing I have noticed is that V/Line is an iconic brand; it has a historic and emotional connection with regional Victoria, “Mr Tailfos said.

"There is a tremendous pride in V/Line, it really represents a lot of really good community and regional values.

"There only one way to improve our business and that is to listen to our customers and that is why we are going all across regional Victoria to solicit feedback from customers and stakeholders.”

For details on the regional development plan and workshops go to http://getinvolved.ptv.vic.gov.au/regional-network-development-plan