A TIMETABLE redesign for regional train lines is expected to cut time on morning services that run from Bendigo.
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Up to 14 minutes will be saved on weekday morning trips when five Bendigo services that currently stop all stations (except Sunbury) instead run express from Malmsbury to Watergardens.
To maintain the level of services at stations between Malmsbury and Gisborne, five more morning services from Kyneton to Southern Cross will be added to the weekly timetable.
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A service from Bendigo to Southern Cross will depart approximately every 24 minutes in the morning peak.
The alterations to the regional train timetable are part of a state government effort to add almost extra 450 train services every week.
Public transport minister Ben Carroll said it was the biggest timetable change in 10 years. The last major regional timetable redesign was in 2015 to adapt to the Regional Rail Link.
"We're delivering 440 extra train services to our busiest lines to give Victorians more options on their journeys and increase capacity on our trains," he said.
"We know COVID-normal will see people travelling differently than in the past - working from home arrangements, more services and a discount for off-peak travel will make it easier for people to stagger their trips."
"This is just the first step in the massive improvements Victorians will see to our transport network, with new bigger, better trains as we prepare to deliver the Metro Tunnel and our upgrades of every regional rail line still to come."
Passengers at Malmsbury, Riddells Creek and Clarkefield benefit from more than 30 extra services each week due to stopping pattern changes. The changes will mean there are five fewer afternoon services that stop at Watergardens each week.
A late night service will go to Melbourne from Bendigo at 11pm.
The state government is also continuing its planning and design work for the Bendigo to Echuca line upgrade. This will result in new stations at Huntly, Goornong and Raywood as well as extra services for Eaglehawk and Epsom.
Timetables will be available at www.ptv.vic.gov.au from January 8.