Funding will provide for a number of upgrades that will create additional passing opportunities, including new track duplications at Warrenheip and between Deer Park and Melton, three new passing loops, double platforms at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, a platform extension at Rockbank and additional Velocity trains.

But it’s just one step closer to what we really need – a fully duplicated line between Ballarat and Melbourne, increased capacity and more frequent services that take less than an hour to arrive in Melbourne.

It’s the latest in a number of investments in recent years. In 2005 the Velocity trains, capable of 160 km/h, commenced operation.

In 2014 the completion of the Regional Rail Link project saw the separation of metro and regional lines, which gave us a dedicated line from Deer Park to Southern Cross.

But have these investments improved travel experiences for Ballarat commuters? 

The facts tell us they haven’t – travel times are slower, trains still run late and are still overcrowded due to too few peak time services.

The key question remains: “Will these upgrades actually improve the user experience?”

Yes, we should see travel times decrease on some of the non-peak services thanks to the new passing loops and double platforms. Yes, we should see delays reduced when faults occur on the line, with trains able to “hop along” to the next passing loop or double platform. Yes, we should see overcrowding reduced in the short-term thanks to Ballarat getting its fair share of new Velocity trains.

However, to achieve any meaningful improvement for peak-time services we need full line duplication.

Meanwhile, Committee for Ballarat won’t stop advocating until we get 59 minutes maximum travel time for express services, more frequent and reliable services, and additional capacity that meets the rapidly increasing number of passengers using the service.