A new weekday train service to Ararat is on the way, with works finishing on upgrading train stabling facilities at Ararat Station.
Passengers will have more options when to travel, with the increased stabling capacity to enable the addition of a fifth weekday service to Ararat, to be introduced as part of a new timetable from Sunday 31 January 2021.
The upgraded Ararat stabling facility now includes a second stabling track, parallel to the existing stabling track at Ararat Station, and will be used to house two three-carriage VLocity trains overnight so they’re ready for the first two services to Ballarat each morning.
Upgrade works to the train stabling facility at Ararat Station were delivered by V/Line as part of the Regional Rail Revival and also include security fencing, additional lighting, CCTV and footpaths for driver access.
The expanded stabling facility will help boost reliability along the line and will improve access to Ballarat and through to Melbourne for passengers in western Victoria.
The new timetable will be available at ptv.vic.gov.au from 8 January 2021.
Ararat passengers will also benefit from the Ballarat Line Upgrade. The 18km track duplication between Deer Park West and Melton, and the introduction of the new passing loops at Millbrook and Ballan, will boost reliability along the entire line by providing more opportunities for trains to pass each other and helping services recover more quickly from delays.
Coaches will replace Ararat trains for the final works on the Ballarat Line Upgrade from Monday 28 December 2020 to Saturday 30 January 2021, ahead of the introduction of the new timetable.