08 Aug 2018 Benalla Ensign, Benalla VIC (General News) Federal Member for Indi Cathy McGowan has welcomed the Victorian Governments commitment to new rolling stock for the northeast rail line. Ms McGowan said the action on trains was the result of a strong partnership between community, north-east advocacy groups and all levels of government. This announcement recognises the call from communities for new rolling stock to be ordered and built ahead of the rail track upgrade being completed, Ms McGowan said. Bill Traill and the Border Rail Action Group (BRAG) and the local government involved in the Hume Rail Corridor Group have worked tirelessly to keep the north-east rail line on the federal and state governments radars. Communities right across Indi have repeatedly told my office that they want reliable, comfortable public transport. This commitment from the Victorian Government will go towards addressing those concerns. Once the track has been upgraded and new rolling stock is in use, people will be able to take a train for their entire journey. The Federal Government earlier this year committed $235 million to upgrade the north-east line. The entire project, including building new rolling stock, is set to take three years to complete. Improved rail service along the north-east rail line has been a top priority for Ms McGowan since being elected in 2013. Reaching an outcome for better rail has taken much longer than I would have liked, but it has happened, Ms McGowan said. I would like to thank Jaclyn Symes, the upper house member for Northern Victoria, for taking the time to listen to Indis concerns about trains and helping to provide a resolution. I am now calling on the Victorian Government to put this project into its budget to ensure that the commitment is realised.