10 Sep 2018 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) From October 1 more travel opportunity in North East THE State Government is adding add new V/Line coach services next month for Wangaratta, Albury, Wodonga, Benalla, and Seymour. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria), said the introduction of the new coach services from October 1 will give passengers more travel options and better connection, whether locals want to travel to Melbourne or city folk want to get out to the regions. Additional coach services across North East Victoria will include: One extra morning service from Wangaratta to Benalla to Seymour; One extra mid-morning service from Seymour to Benalla to Wangaratta; One extra morning service from Albury to Wodonga to Seymour; and One extra mid-morning service from Seymour to Wodonga to Albury. Ms Symes said the new coach services will use each towns current train stations as the stops, and the services are scheduled to coordinate with connecting trains at Seymour. Were adding more direct services and better connections to give passengers in the North East greater choice for when they travel, she said. Ive listened to North East communitiesmany are already driving to Seymour Station to meet a connecting train, and with the additional direct bus option more people can leave the car at home. The new services take the number of weekday train and coach services between Albury and Seymour to seven return trips every day, with five stopping at Wodonga. There will also now be seven weekday return services between Wangaratta, Benalla and Seymour. On top of the new coaches, Ms Symes said work is underway for the $235 million North East Line Upgrade, as part of the State Governments $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program. The tracks between Albury and Melbourne will be upgraded to finally enable the Labor Government to run its promised purpose built long haul trains on the line, she said. Completion of the track upgrades, together with new V/Line trains and carriages, is atleast two years away. New V/Line coach service information and timetables available atptv.vic.gov.au. Improved mobile coverage on busiest regional rail lines THE State Government on Friday announced it has completed the fitting out of Victorias entire VLocity train fleet with mobile signal boosters, delivering improved mobile coverage for passengers on the five busient regional rail lines of Seymour, Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat and Traralgon. Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the project will enable more Victorians to work during their daily commute, delivering an estimated $20 million boost per year to the economy. The government also confirmed it also introduce a cheaper and more affordable. Regional Student Pass from term one, 2019, with families saving on their yearly travel costs.