The combination of in-train technology and up to 35 new mobile towers is expected to boost coverage from less than 50 per cent to ‘almost full network coverage’ on five rail lines, including Bendigo.

In-train technology will be fitted on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour lines from early 2018.

The government expects the entire VLocity fleet to have a booster on board by the end of next year.

“The mobile carriers are determining the rollout of the mobile towers across the five rail lines because this is the quickest way for the tower build to be completed,” a government spokesperson said.

Construction of the mobile towers is underway, with 11 to be built along the Bendigo line.

“The first mobile tower on the Bendigo line has already been built near Chewton and another is up and running near Pakenham on the Traralgon line,” a government spokesperson said.

“The mobile carriers are managing the rollout of the new towers so they can be constructed on all five routes as quickly as possible during 2018.”

Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are partnering with the government on the $18 million Regional Rail Connectivity Project.

The technology is expected to affect more than 15.5 million passenger trips annually and deliver an estimated $20 million per year to the state’s economy.

“In today’s world, digital connectivity is crucial for people’s lifestyles and for doing business,” Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, Philip Dalidakis, said.

“This program is making it fair for regional Victorian passengers by giving them faster, more reliable mobile coverage.”

The government credited a successful pilot of mobile signal repeaters with paving the way for the project.

It will be the first time the repeaters are used in Australia.

“This program is just one of the many we’re delivering to make sure regional Victorians have the service they need to be connected, do business and stay safe during emergencies,” Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, said.

Public Transport Users Association regional spokesman Paul Westcott welcomed details of the project, which he said were “long overdue”.

“The proof of the pudding will be in the eating,” he said.

“We want to actually see it happening.”