It’s accepted that compromise is part of the course choosing to live in regional and rural Victoria as opposed to Melbourne.
Battling traffic, spending an hour to travel 15kms in Melbourne instead of minutes in the country is considered to be one of our big advantages.
Having places such as the beautiful King Valley at out doorstep and being able to enjoy the fruits of others’ labour - such as the La Dolce Vita Festival on the weekend - is another constant joy.
And as we move from spring to summer, being able to pick fresh produce - be they cherries, berries or other fruits direct from local growers, is another seasonal joy.
For most of us the travel is easy - the trip is relaxed, and one we can do at our own leisure and timing.
But not everyone is as fortunate, and for those reliant on public transport such visits are seldom or near impossible.
We accept that public transport options can never be the same in the country as what they are in the city.
That doesn’t mean they can’t and shouldn’t improve - and expanding V/Line bus options, including those touted in today’s edition - is a good starting point.
The Victorian government took a welcomed step last year when it slashed V/Line train service fees, making public transport a very economic way to get to Melbourne and back.
As expected, patronage of the service has grown and while additional buses are now being used for overflow, the battle goes on for increased train capacity.
This is a compromise we shouldn’t have to make.
