The few V/Line rail services from Bairnsdale that have buffet amenities will be removed when upgrades to the Bairnsdale Station stabling yard are completed.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, says the Minister is stealing the only remaining buffet services by stealth, despite the continued calls from the rail travelling community for the return of the much-loved buffet car.

“Long have we emphasised the importance of having café facilities on board our V/Line trains, as the almost four-hour long journey is a long way to go without something to eat or drink,” Mr Bull said.

“While vending machine snacks can be purchased at the station, a bag of salt and vinegar chips and a can of coke at 6:15am may not be the desired snack people want for breakfast.

“VLocity carriages have the capacity to house buffet facilities, and I was fortunate to catch one of the very few trains equipped with this last year, however the Minister refuses to provide Bairnsdale services with this option for travellers.

“The Minister touts the new VLocity carriages are more comfortable and serve the travelling community better – I’m sure East Gippslanders would agree they are in fact a poorer substitute.

“Adding insult to injury, Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, said the upgraded Gippsland line will future-proof rail services for further growth along the network, however, to date, she has failed to meet the current rail demand by adding an additional morning service departing from Bairnsdale that will connecting with existing timetabled trains in Sale or Traralgon.

“We continue to be railroaded by a government that can’t manage money and refuses to govern for all of Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is concerned Bairnsdale rail passengers will lose the ability to purchase food and beverages on trains on the Bairnsdale line when the locomotive hauled trains are completely replaced by the VLocity fleet once the Bairnsdale stabling project is completed.