Passengers forced to stand for hours on regional Victoria trains as free tickets supercharge long weekend demand

Reduced public holiday services and school holidays heighten pressure on network, leading to overcrowding

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Passengers have been forced to stand for hours and many were unable to board services over Easter as Victoria’s regional train system strained under the combined weight of a long weekend, school holidays and fare-free services.

Reports of overcrowding on V/Line services escalated on Friday and Saturday as public holiday timetables reduced services, amid increased demand after the state government introducing free travel during April.