The residents of Mildura, a town in northwest Victoria, are facing a significant transportation challenge that impacts their daily lives and access to essential services. A lack of investment in public transport infrastructure has left them with limited options for travel, creating a burden on their daily routines and limiting their opportunities.
For many, the journey to a capital city like Melbourne or Adelaide is a daunting task. With no passenger rail service, residents must rely on buses, cars, or planes, all of which present their own set of challenges and inconveniences. Melbourne, the Victorian capital, is a 542-kilometer drive away, while Adelaide is slightly closer at 396 kilometers. However, the public transport journey from Mildura to Adelaide takes a staggering 12 hours, almost triple the time it takes by car.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Resident Tara Thomson, who regularly travels to Adelaide, highlights the inefficiencies of the current system. She has to catch a bus to Melbourne, travel in the opposite direction for an hour and a half, wait for over two hours at Manangatang, and then endure a 6.5-hour journey to Adelaide's CBD. After that, she still needs a lift or taxi to reach her final destination in the Barossa Valley.
"It's incredibly time-consuming and requires a lot of planning," Ms. Thomson said. "It's essentially two days of travel when I could be there by lunchtime if I had a direct option."
Ms. Thomson's advocacy group, formed last year, is calling for the Victorian government to invest in or support alternative travel options. She proposes a connecting shuttle between Mildura and Renmark, which would allow residents to access the existing Renmark-to-Adelaide bus service with ease.
The absence of a passenger train service in Mildura is not a new issue. For years, residents have been advocating for its return, believing it would greatly improve their connectivity to major cities. According to the Rail Revival Alliance, Mildura is the largest regional community in Victoria without passenger rail service, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by its residents.
Alliance president Noel Laidlaw emphasizes that Mildura, with an urban population of 54,000, deserves better treatment. "Places like Warrnambool, with a population of 35,000, have 35 trains a week, and Bairnsdale, with a population of less than half of Mildura's, has 21 trains a week. It's time Mildura received the same consideration."
Without a passenger train, residents without cars or licenses face significant barriers when traveling to Melbourne. They must either fly or take a bus to the Swan Hill station to catch a passenger train, adding unnecessary complexity to their journeys.
The need for a passenger rail service is not a new concept. In fact, Mildura previously had one before it was discontinued by the Kennett government in 1993.
Mildura Mayor Ali Cupper has been a long-time advocate for improved connectivity to and from the town. She believes that residents deserve better access not only to Melbourne but also to Adelaide, which is closer and provides essential services like healthcare and education.
"For the Mallee region, Adelaide serves as our quasi-capital city. We rely heavily on Adelaide for health and education services, as well as social opportunities. Many residents have family in South Australia, and the route to Adelaide, especially via the northern suburbs, is of utmost importance."
Cr. Cupper herself has utilized the Mildura-to-Adelaide bus service in the past and believes it is vital for the community. "It was the only way I could study in Adelaide as a teenager without my own transport. I really don't know how families manage without it now."
The last direct service between the cities operated in 2020, when privately-owned Tambray Coaches ceased its route.
Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has proposed an extension of the daily bus service between Robinvale and Mildura to Renmark. This would provide customers with easier access to the Stateliner service between Renmark and Adelaide. Ms. Benham believes this is a simple and quick solution that could be implemented with government support.
A spokesperson for the Victorian government has not committed to implementing a new route but has stated that the Mildura-to-Renmark bus service will be considered as part of their future network planning.
The transportation challenges faced by Mildura residents highlight the importance of investing in public transport infrastructure to ensure equal access and opportunities for all communities.
