The first day of commuter traffic on the upgraded Ballarat line is off to a patchy start, with services cancelled and commuters lamenting longer travel times.
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Early this morning, V/Line announced on social media that the 6.47am and 8.08am inbound services from Bacchus Marsh were cancelled then reinstated the 8.08am service just over half an hour before it was due to depart.
Social media users have also questioned the new timetable after experiencing it for the first time this morning.
One Ballan commuter said their commute had increased by at least 10 minutes.
"As a commuter from Ballan - the new timetable makes my journey now 10 minutes longer by adding two new stops at Rockbank and Deer Park," Twitter user 'Vested Interest' said.
"This is a very frustrating change. And today's first run has taken one hour 15 [minutes] - adding 20 minutes to what was previously a 55-minute journey."
On Sunday, the 12.20pm Ballarat service appeared virtually empty.
State Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the feedback she had received from regional communities was that people wanted "more frequent and reliable" trains, and there will be an adjustment period as commuters got used to the new timetable - she repeatedly noted there will be an additional 125 services to and from Ballarat each week.
Speaking at the official opening of the Ballan station's second platform, and marking the full completion of the $500 million Ballarat Line Upgrade project, Ms Allan said communities along the line will soon see the benefits.
"We know for regional communities it's vital to give them good quality access to public transport, so people can get to jobs, health appointments, education opportunities - it's about equality of access to those things," she said.
"This is a massive improvement in connectivity, and not just into Melbourne, but within the region, it's easier to travel from Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat or Ballan, and that supports more regional development opportunities."
The Ballarat Line Upgrade includes rebuilt stations at Wendouree, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, and Rockbank, new stabling and signalling, 33km of duplicated track, and new passing loops.
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