New stations at the Victorian towns of Huntly and Raywood will open in mid-July – months ahead of schedule – connecting growing communities around Bendigo to train services sooner.
The brand-new Huntly Station on the Echuca Line will open almost a year ahead of its original completion date of mid-2023, while Raywood Station on the Swan Hill Line is being delivered six months early.
Each new station features a single-sided platform, seating and shelter, bike hoops, and a car park with lighting and CCTV.
A revised timetable will see 18 services a week stop at Huntly’s brand-new station from July 16 and 28 services a week stop at Raywood from July 17.
A weekend of community celebrations is being planned to open the new stations, which are part of Bendigo Metro 3, and are being delivered as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade.
Only finishing works remaining at Huntly including landscaping, while minor works at Raywood will continue in the coming weeks with car park line-marking, fencing and landscaping nearing completion.
The new stations join Goornong on the Echuca Line, which opened in December 2021, restoring the town’s connection to rail services after almost 43 years.
The opening of the new stations will coincide with an extension of the Myki ticketing zone to Raywood, and Huntly and Goornong. Passengers will need a valid Myki for travel towards Melbourne at these stations.
Timetables for the new stations will be available at vline.com.au, ptv.vic.gov.au and the PTV journey planner app from Friday, July 1.
Kerang and Swan Hill coach departure will be adjusted from Sunday, July 17 to align with the new train timetable and ensure connections are maintained.
The Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is part of the $4 billion Regional Rail Revival program, which is upgrading every passenger rail line in the state and creating more than 3000 jobs and local supplier opportunities.