Passengers on the Gippsland line will be able to travel for free in November to thank them for putting up with years of construction and service disruptions during upgrades to the line.
Premier Jacinta Allan said: “Free travel on the Gippsland Line in November is our way of saying thank you for your patience while we delivered this major upgrade.”
From Nar Nar Goon to Bairnsdale, passengers will be able to travel anywhere on Victoria’s public transport network without paying a cent. Commuters between Nar Nar Goon and Traralgon can collect a free travel voucher from station staff or a train conductor instead of tapping on with their myki. Those boarding between Rosedale and Bairnsdale can pick up a free V/Line ticket when boarding or book by phone.
The offer also extends to connecting V/Line coaches and local buses, giving passengers free onward travel across the state.
The $532 million Gippsland line upgrade was jointly funded by the state and Commonwealth governments to deliver major improvements to train reliability, frequency, and accessibility. Works included expanded platforms at Traralgon and Morwell, station upgrades at Bunyip and Longwarry, and new train control systems. The project now enables more than 80 additional weekly services, including 14 on Saturdays and 18 on Sundays.
In tandem with the regional fare cap, which has already saved Victorians an estimated $162 million, the November giveaway forms part of a broader push to boost public transport use. From December, every tram, train, and bus across the state will be free on weekends to celebrate the opening of the Metro Tunnel, with children under 18 set to travel free from January 2026.
