Gabrielle Bell, a V/Line board director of four years, has stepped up to the role vacated by Jeroen Weimar after he became the deputy secretary of transport operations at the Department of Transport.

Mr Weimar chaired the regional public transport operator's board from July 1 last year. He was also Public Transport Victoria's chief executive.

His appointment was intended to be for three years.

"I want to thank Jeroen Weimar for his contribution as V/Line Board Chair and the significant improvements made to V/Line's strategic direction during his tenure," Victoria's public transport minister, Melissa Horne said.

The state government credited Mr Weimar with overseeing continued performance improvements at a time of record patronage growth and huge capital investment in new rail infrastructure.

"Gabrielle Bell's appointment as chair will allow V/Line to continue improving its performance and delivering better services for passengers," Ms Horne said.

Ms Bell sits on the boards of South East Water, VicSuper, and InLife Independent Living.

She has worked as a corporate lawyer in Australia and South-East Asia, specialising in general corporate advisory.

Ms Bell is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical).

Her appointment is expected to continue until August 31, 2022.

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